Dorothy Pohl v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On March 29, 2022, Dorothy Pohl filed a petition alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 8, 2020. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS or any other injury.
Despite this denial, the parties reached a stipulation recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.
Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $150,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The parties agreed to waive their right to seek review, and judgment was entered in accordance with the stipulation.
Leah VaSahnja Durant represented the Petitioner, and Rachelle Bishop represented the Respondent. The decision was issued on September 24, 2024.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Dorothy Pohl alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 8, 2020. The Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for compensation, which was approved by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. Petitioner was awarded $150,000.00 as a lump sum for all damages. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. The attorneys involved were Leah VaSahnja Durant for Petitioner and Rachelle Bishop for Respondent. The decision was based on a stipulation and entered on September 24, 2024.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00336