David Farnsworth v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2015)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
David Farnsworth filed a petition on September 23, 2013, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on November 10, 2011, caused him to suffer a demyelinating injury. Although the initial petition did not specifically name Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Mr.
Farnsworth ultimately proceeded on that theory. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr.
Farnsworth's GBS or any other injury or disability. On August 14, 2015, both parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case.
Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. As part of the stipulation, Mr.
Farnsworth was awarded a lump sum of $280,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner was represented by Danielle Anne Strait of Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA, and Respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the United States Department of Justice.
The decision was issued on September 9, 2015.
Theory of causation
Petitioner David Farnsworth alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on November 10, 2011, caused a demyelinating injury, which was later stipulated as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The parties reached a joint stipulation on August 14, 2015, to resolve the case, with the respondent denying causation. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman approved the stipulation, awarding Petitioner a lump sum of $280,000.00 for all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner's counsel was Danielle Anne Strait, and Respondent's counsel was Claudia Barnes Gangi. The decision was issued on September 9, 2015.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00714