Melissa Biggs v. HHS - other (2014)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Melissa Biggs filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The case progressed to a stipulation of fact regarding attorneys' fees and costs, signed by Special Master Laura D.
Millman on April 22, 2014. Petitioner's counsel, Jerome A.
Konkel of Milwaukee, WI, initially submitted a request for attorneys' fees. Respondent's counsel, Claudia B.
Gangi of Washington, DC, raised objections to certain items in the request. Following informal discussions, petitioner amended her request to $39,960.66.
Respondent did not object to this revised amount. Special Master Millman reviewed the stipulation and found the requested amount to be reasonable.
The court awarded $39,960.66 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Melissa Biggs and her attorneys, Samster, Konkel & Safran, S.C. The decision directed the clerk of the court to enter judgment accordingly, unless a motion for review was filed.
The decision was not for publication but was intended to be posted on the court's website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002.
Theory of causation
The public text does not describe the specific vaccine(s) administered, the date(s) of vaccination, the petitioner's age at vaccination, or the alleged condition or injury. The case resulted in a stipulation and award for attorneys' fees and costs totaling $39,960.66, paid jointly to petitioner Melissa Biggs and her counsel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, S.C. Special Master Laura D. Millman issued the decision on April 22, 2014, finding the stipulated amount reasonable after respondent Health and Human Services did not object to the amended request. No specific theory of causation or medical evidence was presented or discussed in the provided text, as the decision focused solely on the attorneys' fees and costs.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00247