Patricia Okai v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Patricia Okai filed a petition on September 17, 2015, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 25, 2012, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and related sequelae, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The Secretary of Health and Human Services denied that the vaccine caused the GBS or any other injury.
The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, which Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted.
The award included an amount to purchase an annuity, $227,333.02 to reimburse a State of Illinois Medicaid lien, and $565,627.00 for all remaining damages, including future life care plan expenses. The total award for damages was $843,000.00.
Subsequently, on February 11, 2016, the parties stipulated to attorneys' fees and costs. Special Master Millman awarded $53,500.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, bringing the total compensation to $843,000.00.
Edward M. Kraus represented the petitioner, and Ryan Daniel Pyles represented the respondent.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, or treatments. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Patricia Okai alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on September 25, 2012, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and related sequelae. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not detail the specific medical experts, the proposed mechanism of causation, or the evidence presented to support the claim. The case was resolved via stipulation, and the public decision does not describe the specific medical evidence or expert testimony that led to the agreement. The award included an annuity, $227,333.02 for a Medicaid lien, and $565,627.00 for other damages, totaling $843,000.00. Attorneys' fees and costs of $53,500.00 were awarded separately. The decision date for the damages award was September 17, 2015, and the decision date for attorneys' fees and costs was February 12, 2016. Petitioner's counsel was Edward M. Kraus, and respondent's counsel was Ryan Daniel Pyles.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00805