Joan Hudgens v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2017)

Joan Hudgens filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 17, 2013, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from these injuries for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS or any other injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner.

The stipulation stated that Petitioner would receive a lump sum of $130,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the program. The Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court, approving the requested amount.

Judgment was entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation.