Barbara Stanley v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Barbara Stanley filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 22, 2015, alleging she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccination on October 18, 2012. She claimed residual effects from her condition for more than six months and stated there had been no prior award or settlement for damages.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged GBS or any other injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 1, 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. Barbara Stanley was awarded a lump sum of $85,087.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The attorneys involved were Diana Stadelnikas Sedar for the petitioner and Julia Wernett McInerny for the respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Barbara Stanley alleged Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following an October 18, 2012, influenza vaccination. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation on August 1, 2016, agreeing to an award of compensation. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused GBS. The Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding petitioner $85,087.00 for all damages under the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey on October 6, 2016. Petitioner was represented by Diana Stadelnikas Sedar, and respondent was represented by Julia Wernett McInerny.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01235