Cathy Wesloskie v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)

Cathy Wesloskie filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 8, 2016. She alleged that she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 29, 2014, and that symptoms of this injury persisted for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injuries or any other injury, and denied that petitioner's current disabilities were the result of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 8, 2016, agreeing to a settlement.

The stipulation stated that Cathy Wesloskie would receive a lump sum of $280,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages. The Chief Special Master, Nora Beth Dorsey, found the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court, directing the clerk to enter judgment accordingly.

Petitioner was represented by Lawrence R. Cohan of Anapol Weiss.

Respondent was represented by Darryl R. Wishard of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The case was settled as a Table claim, with the influenza vaccine being listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.