Kathyrn Johnson v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Kathyrn Johnson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 8, 2017, alleging she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 18, 2016. The respondent is the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 25, 2018, finding Ms. Johnson entitled to compensation.
On December 5, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending a payment of $150,000.00 for Ms. Johnson's actual and projected pain and suffering.
The proffer stated that Ms. Johnson agreed with this award.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision on January 7, 2020, awarding Ms.
Johnson a lump sum payment of $150,000.00 for pain and suffering, payable by check to Ms. Johnson.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The attorneys involved were Lawrence R.
Cohan for the petitioner and Sarah Christina Duncan for the respondent.
Theory of causation
Kathyrn Johnson filed a petition alleging Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccine administered on October 18, 2016. A ruling on October 25, 2018, found her entitled to compensation. On December 5, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $150,000.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering, which the petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision on January 7, 2020, awarding the $150,000.00 lump sum. The public text does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused GBS.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01078