Curtis V. Blankenship v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2016)

Curtis V. Blankenship filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 30, 2015.

He alleged that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 2, 2012, and that he experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on June 28, 2016, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

The award included a lump sum of $1,824.52, payable to petitioner and HMS Casualty Recovery Unit, to satisfy a Medicaid lien from the State of Alabama. Additionally, a lump sum of $150,000.00 was awarded to petitioner for all other damages.

The total award amounted to $151,824.52. Petitioner was represented by Nancy Routh Meyers of Ward Black Law, and respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the medical experts consulted.