Donna Worcester v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain Barre syndrome (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Donna Worcester filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Program on December 13, 2016, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 22, 2014, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her alleged injuries.
The parties, represented by counsel Randy M. Hitchcock for the petitioner and Althea W.
Davis for the respondent, reached a stipulation for an award. On September 7, 2021, Special Master Thomas L.
Gowen adopted the stipulation, which settled the issues between the parties. The stipulation provided for a lump sum payment of $150,248.44, payable to Ms.
Worcester via check, to compensate for all damages. Judgment was entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Donna Worcester received an influenza vaccine on October 22, 2014, and subsequently alleged developing Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for award, settling the case without a determination of causation. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation on September 7, 2021. The award was a lump sum of $150,248.44. Petitioner counsel was Randy M. Hitchcock, and respondent counsel was Althea W. Davis.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01641