O’dell Cobb v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2022)

On February 1, 2018, Trina O’dell Jones, as personal representative of the Estate of O’dell Cobb, deceased, filed a petition in the National Vaccine Injury Program. Petitioner alleged that the decedent suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused the decedent’s GBS or any other injuries or death. However, on October 20, 2022, the parties filed a stipulation agreeing that the case should be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to the petitioner.

The stipulation provided for a lump sum payment of $38,500, payable to the petitioner, representing compensation for all damages. Special Master Thomas L.

Gowen adopted the parties’ stipulation and awarded compensation. The Clerk of the Court was ordered to enter judgment in accordance with the terms of the stipulation.

Petitioner was represented by Laura Levenberg of Muller Brazil, and respondent was represented by Felicia Langel of the Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.