Glenda Ivy v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2016)

Glenda Ivy filed a petition on December 23, 2015, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) caused by an influenza vaccine she received on December 27, 2012. She filed the petition shortly before the statute of limitations expired, and subsequently submitted some medical records.

However, after reviewing the obtained records, Ms. Ivy's counsel informed the court that she did not intend to proceed with the claim, as an investigation of the facts and science demonstrated she would be unable to prove entitlement to compensation.

The court noted that to receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a Table Injury or that the vaccine actually caused the injury. The record did not disclose evidence of a Table Injury, nor did it contain a medical expert's opinion or other persuasive evidence indicating the vaccine caused her alleged injury.

Because the petition was not supported by sufficient medical records or a medical opinion, Ms. Ivy's claim for compensation was denied and the case was dismissed for insufficient proof.