Christopher Harrelson v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On November 2, 2015, Christopher Harrelson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that an influenza vaccine received on October 31, 2012, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury. However, on May 5, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded to Petitioner.
Special Master Herbrina Sanders found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $100,000.00, payable by check, representing compensation for all damages available under the program.
The parties jointly filed notice renouncing the right to seek review, which expedited the entry of judgment. Leah V.
Durant represented the Petitioner, and Adriana R. Teitel represented the Respondent.
Theory of causation
Christopher Harrelson alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 31, 2012, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for award, and Special Master Herbrina Sanders adopted the stipulation. Petitioner was awarded $100,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, clinical facts, onset, symptoms, tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. Attorneys involved were Leah V. Durant for Petitioner and Adriana R. Teitel for Respondent. The decision date was August 11, 2020.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01308