Geeta Karra v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (2023)

On May 26, 2021, Geeta Karra filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Ms.

Karra alleges that she received an influenza vaccine on December 30, 2019, and that this vaccine caused her to develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). She further alleged that she experienced residual effects from her condition for more than six months.

The petition stated that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages related to her condition and that the vaccine was administered in the United States. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Karra's conditions or any other injury. On April 6, 2023, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Special Master Daniel T. Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

Pursuant to the stipulation, Ms. Karra was awarded a lump sum of $130,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages.

The decision was issued by Special Master Daniel T. Horner.

Petitioner's counsel was Emily Beth Ashe of Anapol Weiss, and respondent's counsel was Amanda Pasciuto of the U.S. Department of Justice.