Katherine L. Alberino v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) with residual effects that persisted for more than six months (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Katherine L. Alberino filed a petition for compensation on May 2, 2018, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects that persisted for more than six months after receiving a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on August 22, 2017.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap immunization caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury or condition. Despite maintaining their respective positions, the parties reached a stipulation for settlement.
On February 27, 2020, Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation, which awarded Katherine L.
Alberino a lump sum of $155,000.00 for all damages. The decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical course, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Petitioner was represented by William E. Cochran Jr. of Black McLaren, et al., PC, and respondent was represented by Camille C.
Collett of the United States Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Katherine L. Alberino alleged that a Tdap vaccine administered on August 22, 2017, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects persisting for more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for settlement, and Special Master Thomas L. Gowen awarded compensation. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, mechanism, expert testimony, or the breakdown of the $155,000.00 award beyond it being a lump sum for all damages. Petitioner was represented by William E. Cochran Jr., and respondent by Camille C. Collett.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00622