James D. Woodcock v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2022)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On February 3, 2021, James D. Woodcock filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on October 30, 2018.
He further alleged that he suffered from the residual effects of his GBS for more than six months. Following Mr.
Woodcock's death, his wife, Marlene Woodcock, was substituted as Petitioner as Personal Representative for the Estate of James D. Woodcock on April 14, 2022.
The Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused the decedent's alleged GBS or any other injury or death, and denied that the decedent's alleged injuries were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. On December 13, 2022, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as his decision.
Pursuant to the stipulation, a lump sum award of $155,000.00, payable to Petitioner, was granted for all items of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
David P. Murphy represented the Petitioner, and Mitchell Jones represented the Respondent.
The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran.
Theory of causation
Petitioner alleged that an influenza vaccine received on October 30, 2018, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. The stipulation resulted in a lump sum award of $155,000.00. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or name any experts. The case was represented by David P. Murphy for Petitioner and Mitchell Jones for Respondent. The decision date was December 13, 2022.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00851