Jamie Pinelli v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Petitioner Jamie Pinelli filed a petition for compensation on May 30, 2017, alleging that the influenza vaccine she received on February 21, 2016, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and its residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated her injury.
The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted as the decision of the Court.
Under the stipulation, Jamie Pinelli was awarded a lump sum payment of $70,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical course, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
The court directed that judgment be entered according to this decision and the stipulation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Jamie Pinelli alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on February 21, 2016, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Petitioner further alleged residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted as the decision. The stipulation resulted in a $70,000.00 lump sum award for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the clinical progression of the alleged GBS. Petitioner counsel was Howard Scott Gold, and respondent counsel was Mollie Danielle Gorney. The decision date was September 20, 2018.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00704