Lynne Congdon v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barre syndrome (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On November 22, 2023, Lynne Congdon, then 60, filed a petition alleging that influenza, Tdap, and meningococcal vaccines administered on February 28, 2022 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Ms.
Congdon's course was described as a comparatively mild but real GBS injury. The record described facial drooping and numbness, evaluation after an initial primary-care misdiagnosis, a six-day hospitalization, and IVIG treatment.
A lumbar puncture was difficult because of a prior lumbar fusion. After discharge, she continued to have facial symptoms and functional limitations, used speech therapy, and gradually returned to work part-time.
By late 2022 and 2023, records showed improvement, including use of a straw by October 2022 and dog-training activity by January 2023, though she still described intermittent residual symptoms. Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran found entitlement on September 12, 2024. At damages, he weighed the hospitalization, IVIG, and prolonged facial symptoms against the mild course and recovery.
On August 21, 2025, he awarded $137,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,651.88 in unreimbursed expenses, for a total lump sum of $141,651.88.
Theory of causation
Influenza, Tdap, and meningococcal vaccines February 28, 2022 at age 60 causing GBS; onset listed around 7 days. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED; COMPENSATED. Evidence included facial drooping/numbness, primary-care misdiagnosis, six-day hospitalization, IVIG, difficult LP due prior lumbar fusion, speech therapy, part-time return to work, gradual improvement, and intermittent residual symptoms. Award $137,000 pain/suffering + $4,651.88 expenses = $141,651.88. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition November 22, 2023; entitlement September 12, 2024; damages August 21, 2025.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02025