Steven Blazer v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2018)

Steven Blazer filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 4, 2016, alleging that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine he received on February 23, 2015, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and Blazer alleged that he suffered residual effects of GBS for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated Blazer's injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case.

The stipulation stated that Blazer received the Tdap vaccine within the United States and that he had no prior award or settlement for his condition. The parties agreed to a settlement, and the court adopted the stipulation as its decision.

The court awarded Blazer a lump sum payment of $130,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the program. The decision also noted that attorneys' fees and costs would be addressed in further proceedings.

The stipulation included a release of all claims against the United States and the Secretary related to the Tdap vaccination.