Willie Griffin v. HHS - Influenza, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Willie Griffin filed a petition on May 30, 2017, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that he developed Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on October 1, 2014, and that he experienced residual effects from this condition for more than six months.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Griffin's CIDP or any other injury.
Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case. A stipulation was filed on August 3, 2018, outlining the terms of the settlement.
Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as his decision.
The decision awarded Mr. Griffin a lump sum of $180,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all damages.
This award represents a settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S.
Pop of Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by Lara Ann Englund of the U.S.
Department of Justice. The decision was issued on September 19, 2018.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Willie Griffin alleged that his October 1, 2014, influenza vaccine caused him to develop Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement, stipulating to an award of $180,000.00. The stipulation, filed August 3, 2018, and adopted by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran in a decision dated September 19, 2018, represents a compromise of liability and damages. The public text does not describe the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or clinical details of Mr. Griffin's condition or the vaccine's alleged role. The theory of causation is based on the Vaccine Injury Table, as indicated by the stipulation referencing 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop, and respondent by Lara Ann Englund.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00707