Michael Cascio v. HHS - Influenza, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) (2022)

Michael Cascio filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 10, 2022, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 7, 2019, caused him to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Mr.

Cascio further alleged that his symptoms persisted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Mr.

Cascio's condition. Despite these differing positions, the parties reached a joint stipulation to resolve the case.

Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed and adopted the stipulation.

As compensation for all damages, Mr. Cascio was awarded a lump sum of $60,000.00, payable by check to him.

The decision noted that the parties would proceed to further proceedings for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. Mr.

Cascio, on behalf of himself and his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, or assigns, released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from all claims related to the vaccination. The stipulation stated that it represented a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except for potential future awards for attorney's fees and litigation costs.

The stipulation also clarified that it was not an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Cascio's alleged injury or any other injury, nor that he suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table.

Petitioner was represented by Laura Levenberg of Muller Brazil, and respondent was represented by Rachelle Bishop, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.