James Collins, Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2016)

On March 2, 2015, James Collins, Jr. filed a Vaccine Program petition after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 30, 2013. He alleged that the vaccine caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome and that he had not received other compensation for the injury.

The compensation decision was entered on a joint stipulation and contains limited clinical detail. It identifies the vaccine, vaccination date, and alleged GBS, but it does not describe onset, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, or expert analysis.

Respondent denied that the influenza immunization caused Collins's alleged GBS or any other injury or condition. The parties filed a joint stipulation on January 28, 2016, and Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted it the same day.

Collins was awarded a lump sum of $150,000.00, payable to him, representing all damages available under section 15(a). A separate February 5, 2016 decision awarded attorney fees and costs; that separate fee award was not injury compensation.

Collins was represented by Howard Gold of Gold Law Firm, LLC.