Joey Lynn Bates v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and death (2021)

On January 16, 2019, Emily Meacham and Christopher Ryan St. Andre, as co-administrators of the estate of Joey Lynn Bates, filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

They alleged that an influenza vaccine administered to Mr. Bates on October 6, 2017, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and his subsequent death on April 4, 2018.

The petitioners contended that Mr. Bates experienced the first symptom of GBS onset within the timeframe specified by the Vaccine Injury Table following vaccination, and that his condition met the Table's criteria.

Alternatively, they alleged that the flu vaccination was the cause-in-fact of Mr. Bates's GBS and death.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Bates sustained a GBS Table injury and denied that the flu vaccine caused his alleged GBS, any other injury, or his death.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation for award. Special Master Herbrina Sanders adopted the stipulation, awarding the estate $325,000.00 in compensation for all damages.

The decision was issued on April 7, 2021. Petitioner counsel was William E.

Cochran, Jr. Respondent counsel was Camille M.

Collett. The public decision does not describe the specific onset symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.