Laura Winters v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2017)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Laura Winters filed a petition alleging that she suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) caused by an influenza vaccine she received on November 19, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition.
Despite the denial, the parties reached a settlement agreement to resolve the case. The Special Master found the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted them.
Ms. Winters was awarded a total of $101,201.50 in compensation.
This amount included $100,000.00 for all damages and $1,201.50 to reimburse a lien for services rendered on her behalf. The award was to be paid via checks, with one check for the full damages amount made payable to Ms.
Winters, and the other for the lien amount made payable jointly to Ms. Winters and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Petitioner was represented by Howard S. Gold, and respondent was represented by Christine M.
Becer. The decision was issued by Special Master Laura D.
Millman on November 20, 2017.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Laura Winters alleged that she suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) caused by an influenza vaccine received on November 19, 2014. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. The Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding $101,201.50, comprising $100,000.00 for all damages and $1,201.50 for reimbursement of a lien. The decision was issued by Special Master Laura D. Millman on November 20, 2017. Petitioner's counsel was Howard S. Gold, and respondent's counsel was Christine M. Becer. The public text does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01570