Joel Miles v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2023)

Joel Miles filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on March 16, 2017. The respondent conceded that Petitioner's GBS satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, affording him a presumption of causation.

An entitlement ruling in favor of Petitioner was issued on November 21, 2020. The parties were unable to resolve damages, leading to a damages decision on January 3, 2023.

The primary dispute centered on whether Petitioner's second GBS episode in February 2019 was a residual effect of the 2017 vaccination. The court found that the second episode, occurring nearly two years later and following a period of significant recovery, was not vaccine-related and likely caused by a gastrointestinal infection.

Therefore, damages were awarded only for the initial March 2017 GBS episode. The court awarded Joel Miles a total of $196,537.15, comprising $192,500.00 for pain and suffering and $4,037.15 for unreimbursed expenses related to the 2017 GBS episode.