Valerie C. Dobbins v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain Barre Syndrome (2016)

Valerie C. Dobbins filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on October 30, 2013.

She further alleged that she experienced residual effects from the injury for more than six months and had not received any prior award or settlement for damages. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Dobbins' GBS or any other injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 1, 2016, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

The court found the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Ms.

Dobbins was awarded a lump sum of $175,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision was entered on May 5, 2016.