Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Lawsuits

May 11, 2023 | By Riddle & Brantley Accident Injury Lawyers
Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Lawsuits

Do You Have a Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome Claim?

Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Lawsuits - Riddle & Brantley

Gardasil is a vaccine developed by Merck & Co. to prevent certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically those most likely to cause cervical cancer or genital warts. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, it has been widely used to help reduce the incidence of these conditions.

Despite its effectiveness, some patients have reported serious side effects after receiving the Gardasil vaccine. One of these is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves, often leading to muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

Our firm is actively investigating these claims. If you've been diagnosed with GBS after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine, you may qualify for a Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome lawsuit. For a FREE case review concerning a potential Gardasil lawsuit, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below.

The Connection Between Gardasil and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

There have been cases where patients have developed GBS after receiving the Gardasil vaccine. However, it's important to note that a temporal relationship does not necessarily prove causality. In other words, just because GBS developed after the Gardasil vaccine doesn't mean the vaccine caused it. Research is ongoing and Gardasil Guillain-Barré Syndrome lawsuits may or may not result in settlements or verdicts in plaintiffs' favor. There are no guarantees.

What Does the Research Say?

Research into a potential link between Gardasil and Guillain-Barré Syndrome has yielded mixed results. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA have conducted studies and reviews and found no consistent evidence to suggest that Gardasil vaccination increases the risk of developing GBS. Similarly, a large review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no elevated risk of GBS following HPV vaccination.

However, some studies have suggested a potential association between the Gardasil vaccine and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. One study found a small but statistically significant increased risk of GBS after Gardasil vaccination. These findings are often complicated by the fact that GBS is rare, and its exact cause is unknown, making it difficult to establish a definitive link with any specific factor, including vaccinations.

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nerves. It's often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it's thought to be triggered by an improper immune response to these infections. A possible connection between GBS and the Gardasil HPV vaccine is being explored by researchers. Guillain-Barré Syndrome can affect people of all ages and both sexes, though it's more common in adults and males.

Symptoms of GBS

The first symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome typically involve weakness and tingling in the lower limbs. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can evolve into paralysis. Symptoms can vary from mild difficulty walking to severe paralysis affecting the muscles that control breathing. Some common symptoms of GBS include:

  • Weakness or tingling sensations, typically starting in the legs and often spreading to the arms and upper body
  • Difficulty with eye muscles and facial movement
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Unsteady walking or inability to walk
  • Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Low or high blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing

Most people with GBS require hospitalization so that their breathing can be monitored and assistance can be provided if necessary. While it can be life-threatening, most people recover from GBS with medical treatment and physical therapy, though some may continue to experience weakness.

Do You Qualify for a Gardasil GBS Lawsuit?

Gardasil lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), which will streamline the legal process for plaintiffs.

Despite the lack of definitive scientific evidence of a causal link, some individuals who developed GBS after receiving the Gardasil vaccine have chosen to file lawsuits against Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil. These lawsuits typically allege that the company failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risks associated with the vaccine or ignored potential risks.

Compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and in some instances, punitive damages, may be available in Gardasil GBS lawsuits. The outcome of these lawsuits can vary significantly based on the specifics of the case, the evidence presented, and the jurisdiction in which the case is heard. To be clear, there are no guarantees, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome lawsuits may or may not result in compensation for claimants.

You or a loved one may qualify for a Gardasil side effects lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:

  1. Received the Gardasil or Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine.
  2. Experienced severe and debilitating side effects or complications after receiving the vaccine, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) or Failure (POF), or another qualifying condition.
  3. Can demonstrate that the side effects you experienced are directly linked to the Gardasil vaccine (an experienced Gardasil lawsuit attorney can help you compile evidence to build the strongest case possible)
  4. Suffered significant damages as a result of these side effects, such as medical expenses, loss of income, ongoing treatment costs, or emotional distress.

If you or a loved one developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (or another qualifying condition) after receiving the Gardasil vaccine, you may qualify for a Gardasil lawsuit. The Gardasil lawsuit attorneys at Riddle & Brantley are ready to help. Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a FREE case review.

Why Riddle & Brantley?

Since 2000 alone, our attorneys have secured over $800 million in compensation for injury victims (see disclaimer below). Our attorneys have been recognized by many prestigious membership organizations and awards (see disclaimer below), including:

  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyer “Rising Stars”
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
  • The Litigator Award

We pride ourselves on providing excellent client service and we're proud of the words our valued clients use to describe their experience working with Riddle & Brantley:

"You'll walk in the front door as a client but leave as family. They're the absolute best."

-Susan S., Riddle & Brantley client

Please call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Gardasil GBS lawyer. We are ready to help however we can.

Justice Counts.


*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers “Rising Star” designation, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent designation by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.