Frankie Hicks v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) / Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) (2024)

Frankie Hicks filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), specifically Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS), following an influenza vaccination received on September 23, 2020. Mr.

Hicks claimed his injury persisted for longer than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr.

Hicks sustained a Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused or aggravated his condition. Despite these denials, the parties reached a joint stipulation for an award of compensation.

The court adopted the stipulation as its decision. Mr.

Hicks was awarded a lump sum of $122,500.00, representing compensation for all eligible damages. The stipulation also noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs.

The case was settled based on a compromise of the parties' respective positions on liability and damages, and the stipulation does not constitute an admission by the government that the vaccine caused the alleged injury.