Kim Rinella v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Kim Rinella filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 14, 2021. She alleged that the influenza vaccine she received on October 14, 2019, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and that her injury lasted for more than six months.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS or any other injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 7, 2023, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner.
The stipulation stated that Petitioner would receive a lump sum of $185,000 as compensation for all damages. Special Master Herbrina Sanders found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court, approving the requested amount.
Judgment was entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation. Edward Kraus represented the Petitioner, and Lynn C.
Schlie represented the Respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Kim Rinella alleged that the influenza vaccine received on October 14, 2019, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), lasting more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of $185,000. The public decision does not describe the specific medical theory of causation, any medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Special Master Herbrina Sanders approved the stipulation, and judgment was entered on October 3, 2023. Petitioner's counsel was Edward Kraus, and Respondent's counsel was Lynn C. Schlie.