Mary Davis v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2024)

Mary Davis filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 3, 2020. The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and Ms.

Davis alleged that her GBS was either a Table injury or caused-in-fact by the vaccine, and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms.

Davis sustained a Table injury or that the vaccine caused her GBS or any other condition. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation.

The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding Ms. Davis a lump sum of $135,000.00 for all items of damages.

This award represents a settlement of liability and damages, and the stipulation explicitly states it is not an admission by the United States that the vaccine caused the alleged injury.