Staci Putnam v. HHS - Influenza, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (2021)

On October 5, 2016, Staci Putnam, as Personal Representative of the Estate of A.B., filed a petition on behalf of her deceased child, A.B., seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that A.B. developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) caused by an influenza (flu) vaccination received on October 20, 2014.

Petitioner further alleged that A.B. experienced residual effects of his injuries for more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement for damages related to A.B.'s condition or death. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused A.B. to suffer from CIDP or any other injury or his death.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on January 5, 2021, agreeing to an award of compensation. Special Master Daniel T.

Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The award included a lump sum of $100,000.00 payable to the petitioner as the legal representative of A.B.'s estate for all items of damages.

An additional $100,000.00 was awarded to reimburse a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of A.B. This latter amount was to be paid by check jointly to the petitioner and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The decision was entered on January 29, 2021. Petitioner was represented by Michael G.

McLaren of Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., and respondent was represented by Christine Mary Becer of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the CIDP.