Angela Zuniga v. HHS - MMR, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2014)

Angela Zuniga filed a petition on January 4, 2013, alleging that tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations she received on December 17, 2011 caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Petitioner further alleged that she experienced residual effects of this condition for more than six months.

Respondent denied that petitioner's Tdap and/or MMR vaccines caused GBS or any other injury. Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed April 17, 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 $72,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The parties subsequently agreed to attorneys' fees and costs of $18,500.00, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Danielle Strait of Maglio, Christopher & Toale, PA. In addition, petitioner received $35.00 to reimburse out-of-pocket litigation expenses she had personally incurred.