Coyt M. Karriker v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2023)

Coyt M. Karriker filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on October 10, 2017, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

The primary dispute was the onset date of his GBS symptoms. Mr.

Karriker had injured his right shoulder in a scooter accident on October 6, 2017, and this pre-existing injury complicated the determination of GBS onset. Respondent argued that symptoms began on the vaccination date, October 10, 2017, citing early medical records.

However, the court found Mr. Karriker's testimony, supported by family affidavits and later medical records, to be credible.

He testified that his GBS symptoms, specifically weakness, began on Friday, October 13, 2017, three days after vaccination. This timeline aligns with the Table's requirements for GBS.

The court distinguished the shoulder pain from the scooter accident from the later onset of neurological symptoms. The court found that Mr.

Karriker established that the onset of his GBS occurred within three days of vaccination, thus satisfying the Table criteria for entitlement. The case was proceeding to determine damages.