Luis Lao v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)

Petitioner Luis Lao filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 4, 2016. He alleged that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) causally related to an influenza vaccine he received on January 7, 2015.

Mr. Lao further alleged that the effects of his injury had lasted for more than six months and that he had not filed a civil suit or received compensation for his alleged vaccine-caused injury.

The respondent denied that the vaccine caused any injury to the petitioner. Nevertheless, on August 12, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Mr.

Lao was awarded a lump sum of $150,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages. Petitioner's counsel was Alison Haskins of Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA.

Respondent's counsel was Gordon Shemin of the U.S. Department of Justice.