Kenneth Bitticks v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”); Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (“CIDP”) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Petitioner Kenneth Bitticks filed a claim on September 12, 2016, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 19, 2012, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused petitioner's conditions.
The parties reached a settlement stipulation, which Special Master Laura D. Millman found to be reasonable.
The court adopted the terms of the stipulation. The award included a lump sum of $218,368.00, comprising $8,494.00 for first-year life care expenses, $204,974.00 for pain and suffering, and $4,900.00 for past unreimbursable expenses.
An additional amount was awarded to purchase an annuity contract as described in the stipulation. The decision was filed on September 12, 2016.
Petitioner's counsel was Alison H. Haskins, and respondent's counsel was Linda S.
Renzi.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Kenneth Bitticks alleged that an influenza vaccine received on November 19, 2012, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding a lump sum of $218,368.00 for first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses, plus an amount for an annuity. The decision was filed on September 12, 2016. Petitioner was represented by Alison H. Haskins, and respondent by Linda S. Renzi.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00864