Daniel Doherty v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On December 11, 2015, Daniel Doherty filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on December 16, 2014. He further alleged that the residual effects of this injury lasted for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury. On May 12, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.
Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it. Daniel Doherty was awarded a lump sum of $148,358.88, payable by check, as compensation for all items of damages.
Petitioner's counsel was Amber Diane Wilson of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent's counsel was Lara Ann Englund of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Daniel Doherty alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on December 16, 2014, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for damages, and Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted it. The decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the GBS. Daniel Doherty received a lump sum award of $148,358.88. The decision was filed on May 12, 2016. Petitioner was represented by Amber Diane Wilson, and respondent was represented by Lara Ann Englund.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01500