Alfredo Gonzalez v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2021)

Alfredo Gonzalez filed a petition for compensation on February 6, 2017, alleging that the Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine he received on or about December 29, 2014, caused him to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). He further alleged that he suffered residual effects for more than six months.

The Tdap vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, and Mr. Gonzalez alleged that his GBS was a Table injury.

Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Mr. Gonzalez's alleged injury or any other injury.

Nevertheless, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision.

The stipulation awarded Mr. Gonzalez a lump sum of $654,253.29 for first-year life care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses.

Additionally, the award included payments totaling $86,232.73 to reimburse liens for services rendered on his behalf, payable jointly to Mr. Gonzalez and various healthcare providers, with Mr.

Gonzalez agreeing to endorse the checks. The award also included an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract.

This compensation covers all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.