Wendy G. Strickland v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2020)

Heather Geldbach, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Wendy G. Strickland, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Ms. Strickland allegedly suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 13, 2017.

The petition also alleged that Ms. Strickland's death was directly and proximately caused by the flu vaccination.

The respondent conceded that Ms. Strickland's condition met the Table criteria for a flu/GBS Table injury and that her condition persisted for at least six months, was a substantial factor in causing her death, and that there was no preponderant evidence of an alternative cause.

The court issued a ruling on entitlement on February 14, 2020, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on October 27, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, which the petitioner agreed to.

The court awarded a total of $492,692.42, which included a statutory death benefit of $250,000.00, past pain and suffering of $200,000.00, past unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical expenses of $3,024.75, an additional past medical expense of $39,677.65 owed to PruittHealth-Neuse, and $8,530.07 to satisfy a lien from the State of North Carolina's Medicaid program.