John Harris v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2023)

John Harris filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 30, 2021. He alleged that he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on September 19, 2019, and that his GBS symptoms continued for longer than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Harris's GBS or any other injury, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 22, 2023, agreeing to settle the issues and award compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran adopted the stipulation as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, Mr.

Harris was awarded a lump sum of $90,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages. This amount represents a compromise of the parties' respective positions on liability and/or damages.

The case proceeded as a "Table claim" because GBS is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table for the influenza vaccine. The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, specific clinical details of the GBS onset or progression, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

The stipulation states that attorneys' fees and costs would be addressed in further proceedings.