Cynthia Rae Torres v. HHS - MMR, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)

Cynthia Rae Torres filed a petition on November 9, 2015, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the rubella and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines on April 8, 2013. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused her GBS or any other injury.

The parties subsequently filed a stipulation of fact to resolve the case. Special Master Laura D.

Millman adopted the stipulation. On January 4, 2016, the Special Master issued a decision awarding Cynthia Rae Torres $105,000.00 in compensation for all damages.

This award was in the form of a check payable to the petitioner. Separately, on November 9, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs, which Special Master Millman approved on November 9, 2015, awarding $25,000.00.

This amount was to be paid by check jointly to the petitioner and her counsel, Kennedy Berkley Yarnevich & Williamson, Chartered. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Petitioner was represented by Larry G. Michel, and respondent was represented by Glenn A.

MacLeod.