Lavern Griffis v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis, and urinary retention and kidney failure (2017)

On May 11, 2015, Lavern Griffis filed a petition in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 10, 2013, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis, urinary retention, and kidney failure. Ms.

Griffis died on May 7, 2015, and Micolous Griffis, as the personal representative of her estate, was substituted as the petitioner. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Griffis's alleged injuries or death. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation for damages.

Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation as the decision of the Court.

The stipulation provided for a lump sum award of $200,000.00, payable to Micolous Griffis as the legal representative of Lavern Griffis's estate, as compensation for all damages. The decision was issued on January 6, 2017.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. The names of petitioner's counsel were Paul R.

Brazil and Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent's counsel was Douglas Ross from the United States Department of Justice.