Jacqueline Lewis v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”), paraparesis, hypoxic respiratory failure, ischemia, myocardial infarctions, pleural effusions, pericardial effusion, and congestive heart failure (2019)

Dominique Lewis, as administratrix of the estate of Jacqueline Marie Lewis, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 16, 2017. The petition alleged that Jacqueline Lewis received an influenza vaccine on October 16, 2015, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), paraparesis, hypoxic respiratory failure, ischemia, myocardial infarctions, pleural effusions, pericardial effusion, and congestive heart failure.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the immunization caused these alleged injuries. The parties reached a settlement, and on March 18, 2019, they filed a joint stipulation outlining the terms of the agreement.

As part of the settlement, the respondent agreed to issue a lump sum payment of $180,000.00, payable to Dominique Lewis as administratrix of the estate, as compensation for all damages. Additionally, a lump sum of $12,158.69 was to be paid to reimburse a Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Dominique Lewis and the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded compensation in the agreed-upon amounts and terms. The decision was issued on April 16, 2019.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of Ms. Lewis's condition, any diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received.

The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.