Claire Panella v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2023)

Claire Panella filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 24, 2021, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on September 5, 2020. She stated that the vaccination occurred in the United States, her injuries lasted more than six months, and no prior action or compensation had been sought for these injuries.

Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Panella sustained a GBS Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her GBS or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on June 13, 2023, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Ms. Panella was awarded a lump sum of $222,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.