Alan Lien v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Alan Lien filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 22, 2019, caused him to suffer from encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, and vestibular neuronitis. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a report conceding that Mr.
Lien was entitled to compensation for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an on-Table injury. The respondent stated that Mr.
Lien met the criteria for GBS on the Vaccine Injury Table and satisfied other statutory and jurisdictional requirements, including the severity requirement due to residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent did not concede entitlement for the other alleged conditions.
Mr. Lien accepted the concession for GBS but not for the other conditions.
A ruling on entitlement issued on February 14, 2023, finding Mr. Lien entitled to compensation for GBS.
Subsequently, on March 10, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation agreeing to a decision awarding compensation. The Special Master reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.
Mr. Lien was awarded a lump sum payment of $500,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the program, representing the resolution of the GBS claim.