Latonya Brooks v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2015)

On April 27, 2015, Latonya Brooks filed a petition alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on September 6 or 9, 2012. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Brooks's GBS or any other injury. The parties subsequently reached a stipulation to resolve the matter.

Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding Ms.

Brooks compensation. The award included a lump sum of $45,000.00 for all damages other than past medical expenses.

Additionally, $33,220.49 was awarded to reimburse a State of Illinois Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Latonya Brooks and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Later, on May 21, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs.

Special Master Millman reviewed this stipulation and awarded $23,787.99 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Latonya Brooks and her attorneys, Maglio, Christopher & Toale, P.A. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.