James A. Bristol, Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2025)

James A. Bristol, Jr. filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 12, 2022.

Mr. Bristol later passed away, and his wife, Maria M.

Bristol, as executor of his estate, was substituted as Petitioner. The petition alleged that Mr.

Bristol received the flu vaccine within the United States, that he never fully recovered from his GBS, and that neither he nor any other party had filed a civil action or received compensation for his GBS. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

On March 19, 2025, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer of Compensation, conceding that Petitioner was entitled to compensation. Respondent believed that Petitioner satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, and agreed that Petitioner had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation.

On March 19, 2025, a ruling on entitlement found Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 21, 2025, a Decision Awarding Damages was issued.

Respondent's Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer indicated that Petitioner should be awarded $632,183.17, representing compensation for pain and suffering, a statutory benefit for vaccine-related death, lost earnings, and unreimbursed expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award.

The court awarded Petitioner a lump sum payment of $632,183.17.