Kim Rinella v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2023)

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.