Pedro Morillo v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2019)

Pedro Morillo filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 19, 2017, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 26, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

On December 26, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Mr. Morillo entitled to compensation for his GBS injury.

Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation on June 19, 2019, recommending an award of $134,583.14, which included $85,000.00 for pain and suffering, $31,524.39 for lost earnings, and $18,058.75 for past unreimbursed expenses. Mr.

Morillo, who is a competent adult, agreed with this proffered award. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarded Mr.

Morillo a lump sum payment of $134,583.14, consisting of the aforementioned amounts, in the form of a check payable to him. The decision was made public on September 11, 2019, with a notice that Mr.

Morillo had 14 days to identify and move to redact any information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Petitioner's counsel was Randall G.

Knutson of Knutson & Casey Law Firm, and respondent's counsel was Colleen Clemons Hartley of the U.S. Department of Justice.