Rene Reaska v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2020)

On January 29, 2019, Rene Reaska filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) resulting from an influenza vaccination received on September 27, 2016. The petition stated that the vaccination was administered in the United States, that Ms.

Reaska experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms.

Reaska sustained a GBS Table injury and denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged GBS and its residual effects, or any other injury or condition. Despite these denials, on November 12, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the court.

Ms. Reaska was awarded a lump sum of $200,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages.

The decision was finalized on November 16, 2020. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the GBS, diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received.

Petitioner was represented by Shealene Priscilla Mancuso of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Sarah Christina Duncan of the U.S. Department of Justice.