Georgina Russell v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2018)

Georgina Russell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 7, 2017, alleging she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) due to an influenza vaccine received on September 23, 2015. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 4, 2017, agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court.

Pursuant to the stipulation, Georgina Russell was awarded a lump sum of $431,367.18, payable to her. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was issued on February 2, 2018. Petitioner was represented by Danielle A.

Strait of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Claudia B. Gangi of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

The theory of causation is not detailed in the public decision.