Rae Jean Leonard v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2019)

Rae Jean Leonard alleged that an influenza vaccination she received on November 25, 2015, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). She filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 27, 2018.

Ms. Leonard initially sought to prove her case as a Table injury, meaning her condition was listed on the Vaccine Injury Table for the vaccine received.

However, the medical records did not contain any statements directly linking the vaccination with her injuries, although some noted a temporal association. Ms.

Leonard attempted to retain an expert to clarify her diagnosis and support her claim, but was ultimately unable to secure an expert opinion. Consequently, Ms.

Leonard moved to dismiss her own petition, conceding that she would be unable to prove entitlement to compensation. The Special Master granted the motion, finding that Ms.

Leonard had not established a Table Injury and dismissing the case for insufficient proof. The decision was issued on December 20, 2019.