Richard Sewell v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Brachial Neuritis (2014)

Richard Sewell filed a petition on January 9, 2014, alleging that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Brachial Neuritis (BN) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2012. He further alleged that he experienced residual effects from his injuries for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Sewell's GBS and/or BN.

The parties, however, reached a joint stipulation for damages. Special Master Thomas L.

Gowen adopted this stipulation, awarding Mr. Sewell a lump sum of $65,173.50 for all damages available under the program.

The parties also stipulated to an award of attorneys' fees and costs, totaling $8,292.07, which Special Master Gowen also approved. Judgment was entered in accordance with the stipulation on October 3, 2014.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner was represented by Mark L.

Krueger of Krueger & Hernandez S.C., and respondent was represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice.