Gena Binkley Kotch v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome or peripheral neuropathy (2025)

Gena Binkley Kotch filed a petition on May 7, 2019, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or peripheral neuropathy as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on January 27, 2018. She also alleged that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

The respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a GBS Table Injury, denied that the vaccine caused her alleged neuropathy or any other injury, and denied that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite maintaining their positions, both parties agreed in a stipulation filed on February 26, 2025, that the issues could be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

The court reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as its decision. The stipulation awarded a lump sum payment of $92,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.

This amount represents compensation for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Act. The court approved the award in the requested amount.