Vincent Ricciardi v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Vincent Ricciardi filed a petition on March 28, 2018, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on November 1, 2016, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and that he suffered residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury.
Despite the denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation. Special Master Christian J.
Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation awarded Vincent Ricciardi a lump sum payment of $80,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages.
The decision was filed on October 26, 2021. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Bridget C. McCullough of Muller Brazil, LLP, represented the petitioner, and Christine M.
Becer represented the respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Vincent Ricciardi alleged that the influenza vaccine administered on November 1, 2016, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Petitioner further alleged that the residual effects of the GBS lasted for more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Special Master Christian J. Moran. The stipulation resulted in an award of $80,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or clinical evidence presented. The attorneys involved were Bridget C. McCullough for the petitioner and Christine M. Becer for the respondent. The decision date was October 26, 2021.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00455