Linda Schorel v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2016)

Linda Schorel filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 24, 2013. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of GBS for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused her GBS or any other injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation.

The stipulation stated that the influenza vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Linda Schorel was awarded a lump sum of $325,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision was based on this joint stipulation, not on a full adjudication of liability or causation.