Misty Gehrke v. HHS - MMR, Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Misty Gehrke filed a petition on November 27, 2019, alleging that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine she received on March 5, 2019, caused her to develop Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). She further alleged that her symptoms persisted for more than six months.
Respondent denied that the vaccine caused her GBS. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to compensation.
The Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court. Ms.
Gehrke was awarded a lump sum of $50,000.00, payable by check to petitioner, to compensate for all damages. The decision was filed on February 10, 2023.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S.
Pop of Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and Respondent was represented by Debra A.
Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice. Special Master Christian J.
Moran issued the decision.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Misty Gehrke alleged that the March 5, 2019, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination caused her to develop Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), with symptoms persisting for more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran found reasonable and adopted as the court's decision. The stipulation resulted in a $50,000.00 lump sum award to petitioner. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused GBS. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop, and Respondent by Debra A. Filteau Begley. The decision was filed on February 10, 2023.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01821