Norval Nichols v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Norval Nichols filed a petition on December 1, 2017, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that he received an influenza vaccine on October 1, 2016, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Nichols' GBS.
However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on June 16, 2020. The stipulation stated that the issues could be resolved by awarding compensation to Mr.
Nichols. Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision. The award included a lump sum of $170,000.00 payable to Mr.
Nichols, intended to cover all damages available under the Act. The court directed that judgment be entered accordingly.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Leah V.
Durant represented the Petitioner, and Debra Begley represented the Respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Norval Nichols alleged that he received an influenza vaccine on October 1, 2016, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties resolved the case via stipulation, agreeing to an award of $170,000.00. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision. The public decision does not specify the medical mechanism of causation, name any experts, or detail the evidence considered. The attorneys involved were Leah V. Durant for the Petitioner and Debra Begley for the Respondent.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01861