Mary Richardson v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2023)

Mary Richardson filed a petition on September 29, 2021, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on October 2, 2018. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on August 10, 2022, conceding that the petitioner was entitled to compensation. The respondent concluded that the petitioner met the criteria for a Table injury, specifically GBS, with an onset between three and forty-two days after vaccination and no apparent alternative cause, and that she experienced more than six months of residual effects.

Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement on August 11, 2022, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation.

Subsequently, on February 27, 2023, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation. The parties agreed to a total award of $205,326.87.

This amount included $176,500.00 for pain and suffering, to be paid as a lump sum check to the petitioner, and $28,826.87 to satisfy a State of Ohio Medicaid lien, to be paid as a lump sum check jointly to the petitioner and the Treasurer, State of Ohio, Ohio Tort Recovery Unit. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding these damages on April 3, 2023.

Petitioner counsel was Laura Levenberg of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent counsel was Nina Ren of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.