Reginald Allen v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Reginald Allen filed a petition on June 24, 2015, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving Tdap and Hepatitis B vaccines on August 20, 2012. He claimed residual effects for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the vaccines caused his GBS. The parties filed a joint stipulation on August 22, 2016, agreeing to compensation.
Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted the stipulation, awarding Reginald Allen a lump sum of $320,000.00 for all damages.
Subsequently, on September 12, 2016, the petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys' fees and costs, requesting $21,636.41. The Special Master granted this motion, awarding the full amount jointly to the petitioner and his counsel, Diana L.
Stadelnikas Sedar. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, or treatments.
Petitioner was represented by Diana S. Sedar of Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Claudia B.
Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Reginald Allen alleged that the Tdap and/or Hepatitis B vaccines, received on August 20, 2012, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Special Master Christian J. Moran. The stipulation resulted in a lump sum award of $320,000.00 for all damages. Petitioner's counsel, Diana S. Sedar, and respondent's counsel, Claudia B. Gangi, were involved. Petitioner later received an award of $21,636.41 for attorneys' fees and costs, jointly payable to petitioner and counsel. The theory of causation relied on the Vaccine Injury Table. The public decision does not detail specific medical experts, the mechanism of injury, or the specific clinical progression of the GBS.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00655