Reona Dakota Lynch v. HHS - Influenza, left optic neuritis with permanent vision loss (2014)

Reona Dakota Lynch filed a petition on October 5, 2012, alleging that a trivalent influenza (flu or FluMist) vaccination she received on September 26, 2009, a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, caused her to develop a left optic neuritis with permanent vision loss. Respondent denied that the FluMist vaccine caused petitioner's left optic neuritis or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Nonetheless, both parties agreed in a joint stipulation filed May 30, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Moran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Petitioner received a lump sum of $180,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Special Master Moran also awarded $19,650.00 in attorneys' fees and costs payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Alexander Laufer of Eisenhower & Laufer, P.C., plus $350.00 to petitioner personally, for a total of $20,000.00.