Bruce Barrett v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2015)

Bruce Barrett filed a petition on March 3, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that on January 14, 2013, he received a Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and a trivalent influenza (flu) vaccine, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months.

The respondent denied that either vaccine caused Mr. Barrett's GBS or any other injury, and denied that his current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite maintaining these positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on February 9, 2015. They also reached an agreement regarding attorney's fees and costs, detailed in a separate stipulation filed on March 2, 2015.

Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulations and found them reasonable, adopting them as the decision in the case.

The decision awarded Mr. Barrett a lump sum of $200,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all damages.

Additionally, a lump sum of $15,550.00 was awarded for attorney's fees and costs, payable jointly to Mr. Barrett and his attorney, Howard Stern, Esq.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, or treatments. The decision does not name any medical experts or detail the specific mechanism of causation.