Evelyn Nguyen v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2018)

On October 11, 2016, Thaihoa Huynh and Cuong Nguyen filed a petition on behalf of their minor child, Evelyn Nguyen, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that Evelyn Nguyen suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an Influenza ("flu") vaccine she received on September 4, 2014.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on March 6, 2018.

Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court.

The stipulation awarded Evelyn Nguyen a lump sum of $135,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The decision was issued on April 2, 2018.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner was represented by Edward M.

Kraus of the Law Offices of Chicago Kent, and Respondent was represented by Camille Michelle Collett of the U.S. Dep’t of Justice.