Stephanie Boula v. HHS - HPV, autoimmune disorder and undifferentiated connective tissue disorder (2015)

A petition was filed on May 24, 2013 on behalf of Stephanie Boula, alleging that HPV (Gardasil) vaccinations she received on March 10, May 20, and November 5, 2010 and/or a hepatitis B vaccination she received on approximately May 21, 2010 caused her to develop autoimmune disorder and undifferentiated connective tissue disorder (UCTD), along with other injuries, and that she experienced the residual effects of these conditions for more than six months. The petition was initially filed by petitioner's parents, Stacy and William Boula, and amended to identify Stephanie directly after she turned 18 in April 2015.

Respondent denied that the HPV and/or hepatitis B vaccines caused petitioner's autoimmune disorder, UCTD, or any other injury. Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed June 8, 2015 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 $20,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The parties subsequently agreed to attorneys' fees and costs of $15,603.38, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Daniel J. Mannix of Muller, Mannix & Reichenbach, PLLC.

Petitioner had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses.