Estate Of Connie Lee Maxie v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2019)

On January 12, 2017, the Estate of Connie Lee Maxie filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that Connie Lee Maxie received an influenza vaccine on September 22, 2014, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

It was further alleged that this vaccine-related injury was a substantial factor in Ms. Maxie's death.

The petitioner, represented by Clifford N. Bugg, Esq., stated that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Maxie's alleged GBS or any other injury, and also denied that her death was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on January 23, 2019. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Pursuant to the stipulation, a lump sum of $175,000.00 was awarded, payable to the petitioner as the legal representative of the Estate of Connie Lee Maxie. This amount was designated as compensation for all items of damages available under § 15(a).

The decision was issued on January 23, 2019. Petitioner's counsel was Isaiah Richard Kalinowski of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent's counsel was Lisa Ann Watts of the U.S.

Department of Justice.