Betty Mae Spencer v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre syndrome (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On September 13, 2022, Betty Mae Spencer filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 9, 2019, caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. After Ms.
Spencer's death, Belinda Yanchik proceeded as the personal representative of her estate. The Secretary denied that Ms.
Spencer suffered a Table GBS injury, denied that the vaccine caused GBS or any other injury, and denied that the vaccination caused Ms. Spencer's death or any death-related sequelae.
The public stipulation resolving the case does not state Ms. Spencer's exact age, the date of her death, the onset date for neurologic symptoms, or the clinical course of the alleged GBS.
On September 16, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation. Ms.
Yanchik, as personal representative of the estate, was awarded $95,000.00 for all damages available under section 15(a), payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The estate was represented by Joseph Vuckovich.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine, October 9, 2019, adult Betty Mae Spencer, exact age not stated, alleged Guillain-Barre syndrome. COMPENSATED by stipulation through Belinda Yanchik as personal representative of Ms. Spencer's estate. Respondent denied Table GBS, causation, and that any vaccine-related injury caused Ms. Spencer's death or death-related sequela; the public stipulation does not state a death date or clinical GBS chronology. Award: $95,000 lump sum by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 16, 2025. Attorney Joseph Vuckovich.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01282