Stephen Knowles v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2016)

On March 21, 2016, Stephen Knowles filed a Vaccine Program petition after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 17, 2015. He alleged that the flu shot was followed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome and that the residual effects lasted more than six months.

The public decision was entered on a joint stipulation and does not provide a hospitalization, testing, treatment, or rehabilitation timeline. It does show that Knowles attributed GBS to the September 2015 influenza vaccination, while respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused any injury.

The parties filed a joint stipulation on September 21, 2016. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found it reasonable and adopted it on September 26, 2016.

Knowles was awarded a lump sum of $495,000.00, payable to him, representing all damages available under section 15(a). He was represented by Renee J.

Gentry of the Vaccine Injury Clinic at George Washington University Law School.