Joseph Janni v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On March 11, 2022, Diane Janni filed a petition on behalf of her deceased husband, Joseph Janni, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 25, 2019. Mr.
Janni died on October 30, 2019, from GBS. The petition was filed on March 11, 2022.
The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation for Mr. Janni's GBS injury, which is a Table injury, but denied the death benefit claim as untimely filed.
The Special Master agreed that the death benefit claim was untimely, as it was filed more than 28 months after Mr. Janni's death, exceeding the 24-month limit.
However, the claim for GBS injury was timely. The Special Master awarded Mr.
Janni's estate $225,000.00 for his pain and suffering. Mr.
Janni, an 80-year-old retired man, experienced severe GBS symptoms including respiratory failure, inability to eat, sepsis, and bedsores during his 22-day hospitalization before his death. The award reflects the severity and duration of his suffering, though it does not include the death benefit due to the late filing.
Petitioner counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent counsel was Ryan Daniel Pyles. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran.
Theory of causation
Petitioner alleged that Joseph Janni, age 80, suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 25, 2019, which led to his death on October 30, 2019. Respondent conceded entitlement for the GBS injury, which is a Table injury, satisfying the criteria for presumed causation under the Vaccine Injury Table (onset between 3-42 days after vaccination with no apparent alternative cause). The death benefit claim was dismissed as untimely filed, exceeding the 24-month limit. The Special Master awarded $225,000.00 for Mr. Janni's actual pain and suffering. The award considered the severity and duration of his GBS, including respiratory failure, inability to eat, sepsis, and bedsores during a 22-day hospitalization. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on July 17, 2025. Petitioner counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent counsel was Ryan Daniel Pyles.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00285