Laura Bush v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's palsy and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2015)

Laura Bush filed a petition on January 2, 2014, alleging that the influenza vaccine she received on September 16, 2011, caused her to suffer Bell's palsy and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Ms.

Bush further alleged that she suffered residual effects for more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's Bell's palsy and GBS or any other injury, and further denied that her current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

The parties reached a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran found reasonable and adopted as the Court's decision on November 3, 2014.

The stipulation awarded Ms. Bush a lump sum of $20,000.00, payable by check to her, as compensation for all damages.

Subsequently, on November 25, 2014, Ms. Bush filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs.

Respondent initially raised objections to certain items in the application. Following discussions, petitioner amended her application to request $16,850.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, an amount to which respondent did not object.

On January 14, 2015, Special Master Christian J. Moran awarded this amount, payable by check to Ms.

Bush and her attorney, Carol L. Gallagher.

This brought the total compensation to $36,850.00. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.