Lorraine Swanson v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Lorraine Swanson filed a petition on September 13, 2016, alleging that her influenza vaccine administered on December 20, 2012, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Ms.
Swanson's GBS or any other condition. The parties reached a settlement through a stipulation filed on September 13, 2016.
Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation.
The award included a lump sum of $250,000.00 for all damages and an additional $45,178.74 to reimburse a New York State Medicaid lien. The reimbursement was to be paid via a check jointly payable to Lorraine Swanson and the New York City Division of Liens and Recovery, which Ms.
Swanson agreed to endorse. The decision was issued by Special Master Laura D.
Millman on September 13, 2016. Petitioner's counsel was Ronald C.
Homer, and respondent's counsel was Amy P. Kokot.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Lorraine Swanson alleged that her influenza vaccine on December 20, 2012, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to settle the case. The Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding $250,000.00 for damages and $45,178.74 for a New York State Medicaid lien reimbursement. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00558