Peter Long Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2020)

On March 24, 2020, Peter Long III, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Peter Long Jr., filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that Peter Long Jr. received an influenza vaccination on October 27, 2015, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of the vaccination.

The petition further alleged that the GBS contributed to his death. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza vaccine caused Mr.

Long Jr.'s alleged GBS, any other injury, or his death. Despite these opposing positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a joint stipulation filed on March 24, 2020.

Special Master Katherine E. Oler reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court.

The stipulation awarded the estate a lump sum of $225,000.00, payable to Petitioner as the personal representative, to compensate for all damages available under the Vaccine Program. The decision was entered on May 13, 2020.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details of the GBS, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the GBS. Petitioner was represented by Howard Gold of Gold Law Firm, LLC, and Respondent was represented by Adriana Teitel of the U.S.

Department of Justice.