Judith Adams v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2021)

Judith Adams filed a petition on November 2, 2021, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 2, 2018.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite maintaining these positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a joint stipulation filed on November 2, 2021.

Special Master Katherine E. Oler reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision.

The stipulation awarded Judith Adams a lump sum of $175,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This award represents compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The decision was signed by Special Master Oler on December 3, 2021. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner was represented by Simina Vourlis of the Law Offices of Simina Vourlis, and Respondent was represented by Jeremy Fugate of the U.S. Department of Justice.