Jeffrey A. Bales v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (2019)

On April 25, 2016, Jeffrey Bales filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 23, 2014. The respondent denied that the immunization caused the petitioner's injury.

The parties, represented by Nancy Meyers, Esq., for the petitioner and Althea Davis, Esq., for the respondent, reached a settlement agreement. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the joint stipulation on December 20, 2019.

The settlement included a lump sum of $672,197.80, comprising $469,197.80 for Year One life care plan expenses, $3,000.00 for past unreimbursed expenses, and $200,000 for past and future pain and suffering, payable to Mr. Bales.

An additional lump sum of $120,000.00 was designated as trust seed funds for skilled nursing and home health aide care for the year 2029, payable to the Jeffrey A. Bales Reversionary trust.

A further lump sum of $296,464.60 was awarded to satisfy the South Carolina Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Mr. Bales and the Department of Health & Human Services.

The settlement also included an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future damages, as described in paragraph 10 of the stipulation. The total award amount was $1,090,662.80.