Francine M. Skinner v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2019)

On August 23, 2017, Francine M. Skinner, as the natural guardian and legal representative of H.S., a minor, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

The petition alleged that H.S. suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 11, 2016. The respondent denied that H.S. sustained a Table injury or that the influenza vaccine caused the GBS.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on June 21, 2019, agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

The award consisted of a lump sum payment of $6,740.86 for actual unreimbursable expenses, payable to petitioner Francine M. Skinner.

Additionally, an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, as described in the stipulation, was awarded and to be paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity would be purchased. The decision was entered on September 11, 2019.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner was represented by Nancy Routh Meyers of Ward Black Law, and respondent was represented by Camille Michelle Collett of the U.S.

Department of Justice.