Steven Totten v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2017)

Steven Totten filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on November 16, 2012. He stated that he received the vaccination in the United States, suffered the effects of his injury for more than six months, and had not filed any other action or received compensation for his vaccine-caused injury.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza immunization caused Mr. Totten's alleged GBS or any other injury.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on May 9, 2017, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Mr. Totten was awarded $210,000.00 in compensation, representing all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The award was made payable solely to Mr. Totten.