Gregory Romans v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)

Gregory Romans filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 11, 2014, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following his November 4, 2013 influenza vaccination. He claimed residual effects from the injury for more than six months and stated there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf.

The respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury, and further denied that his current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on December 22, 2015, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Gregory Romans was awarded a lump sum of $220,000.00, payable to him by check, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was based on this joint stipulation. Petitioner's counsel was Amber Wilson of Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA.

Respondent's counsel was Glenn MacLeod of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury.