H.A. v. HHS - HPV, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) (2023)

On October 26, 2022, Hamdi Qasem Almudhari and Huda Nasser Kassem, as parents of H.A., a minor, filed a petition alleging that H.A. suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal (MCV), and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines on March 15, 2021. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused H.A.'s GBS or any other injury.

Despite this denial, the parties reached a stipulation recommending an award of compensation, which the Special Master adopted as the decision of the Court. Petitioners were awarded $20,000.00 as reimbursement for a lien for services rendered on behalf of H.A., payable jointly to Petitioners and the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.

An additional amount was awarded to purchase an annuity contract, representing compensation for all damages available under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The parties agreed to waive their right to seek review, expediting the entry of judgment.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Ronald Craig Homer represented the Petitioners, and Ryan Pohlman Miller represented the Respondent.

Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued the decision.