Betty A. Dennis v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre syndrome / acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy causing death (2025)

On February 25, 2020, Betty A. Dennis, as administratrix of the estate of Richard P.

Dennis, filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 3, 2018 caused Mr. Dennis to suffer Guillain-Barre syndrome, later identified as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and that the condition caused his death on November 17, 2018.

Mr. Dennis had serious pre-vaccination health problems, including chronic interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, syncope, increasing oxygen needs, and declining activity.

At an informal primary-care visit moments before vaccination, he appeared depressed and used a wheelchair, but the record did not document new neurologic complaints. Five days later his daughter reported double vision.

By October 15, his family reported bilateral hand numbness, pain, profound weakness, and difficulty walking. He was admitted on October 16 with weakness, diplopia, ptosis, decreased sensation, and absent reflexes.

Neurology considered GBS, likely a Miller Fisher variant, and treated him with IVIG. The record showed partial neurologic improvement after IVIG, but Mr.

Dennis remained debilitated and was transferred for skilled nursing care. He then developed worsening fatigue, shortness of breath, pulmonary hypertension/cor pulmonale concerns, infections, and slow rehabilitation progress.

On November 16, neurologist Dr. Michael Leone noted extreme weakness and visual loss that he thought was likely central rather than part of GBS.

Mr. Dennis died the next day.

The death certificate listed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as the immediate cause of death and interstitial lung disease as a contributing condition. Respondent argued that onset fell before the vaccination, pointing to a family report that Mr.

Dennis had felt worse for two weeks, his wheelchair use on vaccination day, and a neurology note stating that some symptoms began before the flu shot. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran rejected that reading. He found the wheelchair and poor appearance more consistent with Mr.

Dennis's chronic disease and depression, and treated the neurology note as affected by a mistaken vaccination date. The decision found onset more likely on October 9, 2018, six days after vaccination, within the Table window, and concluded that Mr.

Dennis satisfied the remaining GBS criteria. Entitlement was granted on September 11, 2025; damages remain pending.