Gary French v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Gary French, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Milton French, filed a petition alleging that Milton French received an influenza vaccine on October 2, 2014. The petition alleged that Mr.
French subsequently suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a sequela of the vaccine, and that his death was also a result of this vaccine-related injury. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza vaccine caused Mr.
French's GBS or death. The parties, petitioner represented by Anne C.
Toale and respondent represented by Jennifer L. Reynaud, reached a stipulation to resolve the case.
Special Master Laura D. Millman reviewed the stipulation and found its terms to be reasonable.
The court adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation in the amount of $315,000.00 for all damages. This award was made payable as a lump sum check to Gary French as Personal Representative of the Estate of Milton French.
The decision was issued on June 9, 2016.
Theory of causation
Petitioner alleged that Milton French received an influenza vaccine on October 2, 2014, and subsequently suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which led to his death. Respondent denied the alleged vaccine causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and the Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding $315,000.00 for all damages. The public decision does not describe the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or detailed clinical facts supporting the theory of causation. The attorneys involved were Anne C. Toale for the petitioner and Jennifer L. Reynaud for the respondent. Special Master Laura D. Millman issued the decision on June 9, 2016.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01067