James Woodward v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2017)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On October 6, 2015, James Woodward filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (TDaP) vaccine received on or about February 23, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the TDaP immunization caused Mr.
Woodward's GBS or any other injury. Despite this denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation recommending an award of compensation.
The stipulation stated that Mr. Woodward would receive a lump sum of $345,000.00 for all damages.
Special Master Thomas L. Gowen found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court, directing the Clerk of the Court to enter judgment accordingly.
The decision was issued on March 9, 2017. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Petitioner counsel was Amber Diane Wilson of Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, and respondent counsel was Camille Michelle Collett of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner James Woodward alleged that a TDaP vaccine received on or about February 23, 2015, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation, which was approved by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen on March 9, 2017. Petitioner received a lump sum award of $345,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner counsel was Amber Diane Wilson, and respondent counsel was Camille Michelle Collett.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01130