Julius Reese v. HHS - Autism (2014)

Julius Reese, a minor, by his mother and natural guardian Celeste Reese, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition concerned autism.

The Chief Special Master issued a decision dismissing the petition on August 28, 2013. Subsequently, on March 29, 2014, Petitioner filed a final application for attorneys' fees and costs.

On April 10, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs, indicating that Respondent did not object to the requested amount. Petitioner was represented by Clifford Shoemaker, Esq., and Respondent was represented by Lynn Ricciardella, Esq.

The Chief Special Master, Denise Kathryn Vowell, found that the petition was brought in good faith and had a reasonable basis, making an award for fees and costs appropriate. The total award was $15,086.14, comprising $15,059.19 for petitioner's attorney fees and costs, payable jointly to Celeste Reese and Clifford Shoemaker, and $26.95 for Celeste Reese's personal litigation costs.

The public decision does not describe the specific vaccines administered, the dates of vaccination, the onset of symptoms, specific medical treatments, or the theory of causation.