Jason Craig Townsend v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain Barre Syndrome (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Jason Craig Townsend filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 2, 2019, alleging he suffered Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine on October 26, 2016. Mr.
Townsend provided medical records to support his claim. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 2, 2021, conceding that Mr.
Townsend is entitled to compensation. The respondent stated that Mr.
Townsend satisfied the criteria for GBS as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, Special Master Thomas L.
Gowen ruled that Mr. Townsend is entitled to compensation.
This decision was a ruling on entitlement, with damages to be determined at a later date. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Petitioner counsel was Nichole G. Booker of Mast Law Firm, and respondent counsel was Lauren Kells of the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Jason Craig Townsend alleged Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) following a seasonal influenza vaccine administered on October 26, 2016. The respondent conceded entitlement, stating that the petitioner satisfied the criteria for GBS as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. The Special Master, Thomas L. Gowen, ruled entitlement based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record. The specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, and detailed medical evidence are not described in the public decision. The decision was issued on March 1, 2021, and was a ruling on entitlement only, with damages pending. Petitioner counsel was Nichole G. Booker, and respondent counsel was Lauren Kells.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01532