Norman Larsen v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2018)

On August 18, 2016, Norman Larsen filed a Vaccine Program petition after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 10, 2013. He alleged that the vaccine caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome and that residual effects lasted more than six months.

Unlike many stipulation-only decisions, the public decision notes that respondent initially recommended denial in the Rule 4(c) report. A hearing was held on February 12, 2018 to clarify factual discrepancies in the record.

Respondent continued to maintain that the flu vaccine did not cause Larsen's injury, but agreed to participate in settlement negotiations after that proceeding. The parties filed a stipulation on September 14, 2018.

Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the record, found the stipulation reasonable, and adopted it on September 19, 2018.

Larsen was awarded a lump sum of $60,000.00, payable to him, representing all damages available under section 15(a). He was represented by Martin Jeffrey Rubenstein of Martin Rubenstein in Staten Island, New York.