Lia Silveira Craft v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (2016)

Lia Silveira Craft filed a petition on August 18, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 14, 2014.

Ms. Craft further alleged that she experienced residual effects from the injury for more than six months and had not received any prior settlement or award for this injury.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Craft's alleged GBS or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite the respondent's denial, on May 25, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Ms. Craft was awarded a lump sum of $100,000.00, payable by check to petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was issued on June 21, 2016. Petitioner's counsel was Kelly Danielle Burdette of Burkett & Burdette, and respondent's counsel was Lisa Ann Watts of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the specific mechanism of causation.