William T. Smith v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2017)

William T. Smith filed a petition for compensation on December 28, 2016, alleging that the Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine he received on April 29, 2016, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Mr. Smith further alleged that he suffered residual effects from the GBS for more than six months.

The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated Mr.

Smith's alleged injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Christian J.

Moran adopted as the decision of the Court. The award included a lump sum of $43.61 to satisfy a Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Mr.

Smith and Equian, LLC. Additionally, a lump sum of $8,775.37 was awarded for past incurred medical expenses, payable jointly to Mr.

Smith and Ochsner Health Systems. The remaining damages, totaling $81,224.63, were awarded as a lump sum payable to Mr.

Smith. The total compensation awarded was $90,040.

The decision was filed on April 11, 2017. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner counsel was Danielle A. Strait of Maglio, Christopher, & Toale, and respondent counsel was Adriana Teitel of the United States Department of Justice.