Laura J. Lebel v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2014)

Laura J. Lebel filed a petition on November 12, 2013, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 4, 2011, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation on September 19, 2014, agreeing to settle the case.

Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $600,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $24,536.28 were awarded separately in a decision dated October 29, 2014. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Petitioner was represented by Paul M. Iannaccone of RisCassi and Davis, P.C., and the respondent was represented by Gordon Shemin of the United States Department of Justice.