Debbie Bretag v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2016)

Debbie Bretag filed a petition on November 22, 2013, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 22, 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Bretag's GBS or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on damages on October 20, 2016.

The stipulation stated that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Ms. Bretag was awarded a lump sum of $800,311.47 for first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, past and future lost earnings, and past unreimbursable expenses.

Additionally, an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract was awarded. The parties renounced their right to seek review, expediting the entry of judgment.