Estate of Glenn Meramo v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) (2017)

The Estate of Glenn Meramo, by executrix Nancy Meramo, filed a petition on October 22, 2015, alleging that Glenn Meramo suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on November 14, 2013. The petition further alleged that these conditions caused or contributed to Mr.

Meramo's death. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr.

Meramo's GBS, CIDP, or death. Despite the denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation.

Special Master Thomas L. Gowen reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

The stipulation awarded the estate a lump sum of $55,000.00, payable to Nancy Meramo as executrix, as compensation for all damages. The decision was entered on July 25, 2017.

Petitioner's counsel was Cliff J. Shoemaker of Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, and respondent's counsel was Debra A.

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