Valerie Cozbey v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2016)

Valerie Cozbey filed a petition on November 8, 2013, alleging that an influenza (flu) vaccine administered on November 8, 2010, which the parties later stipulated was actually administered on November 10, 2010, caused her to suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury, and further denied that Petitioner's current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

The parties reached a tentative settlement, and on December 2, 2015, they filed a joint stipulation concerning attorneys' fees and costs, agreeing to an award of $13,300.00. Petitioner's counsel was Donald Philip Edwards of Atlanta, Georgia.

Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman found the petition was brought in good faith with a reasonable basis for the claim and awarded the attorneys' fees and costs. On December 17, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman found this stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner received a lump sum of $110,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The decision was unpublished. The respondent's counsel was Michael Milmoe from the United States Department of Justice.