Ronald Walczak v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2022)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Ronald Walczak filed a petition on May 18, 2020, alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on August 27, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused Mr.
Walczak's GBS or any other injury. The parties, maintaining their respective positions, reached a stipulation to settle the case.
Special Master Thomas L. Gowen entered a decision on stipulation on January 18, 2022.
The stipulation provided for a lump sum award of $155,000.00, payable to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages. Petitioner was represented by Sylvia Chin-Caplan of the Law Offices of Sylvia Chin-Caplan, LLC, and respondent was represented by Mark K.
Hellie of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The decision was filed on January 19, 2022, and later issued on February 18, 2022.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Ronald Walczak alleged that the Tdap vaccine administered on August 27, 2017, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to a settlement, and Special Master Thomas L. Gowen entered a decision on stipulation on January 18, 2022. The stipulation awarded petitioner $155,000.00 for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was represented by Sylvia Chin-Caplan and respondent by Mark K. Hellie.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00616