Esmeralda Barrera v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (2020)

Esmeralda Barrera filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 20, 2016. The respondent conceded that Ms.

Barrera is entitled to compensation, agreeing that her GBS was a Table injury that occurred within the Table time period following a flu vaccine. The respondent further agreed that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, meeting the statutory requirements for entitlement.

A ruling on entitlement was issued on September 11, 2019. Subsequently, on February 12, 2020, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation.

The court awarded Ms. Barrera a total of $113,672.59.

This amount included $100,000.00 for pain and suffering, $10,799.25 for past lost earnings, and $2,873.34 to satisfy a Minnesota Department of Human Services Medicaid lien. The award was made as a lump sum payment to Ms.

Barrera and a joint payment for the Medicaid lien.