William Oberle v. HHS - Influenza, optic neuritis (2014)

William Oberle filed a petition on June 7, 2013, alleging that an influenza (flu) vaccination he received on December 20, 2011 caused him to develop optic neuritis. Respondent denied that the flu vaccination caused petitioner's optic neuritis or any other injury.

Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed May 9, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court, issuing a single combined decision on both damages and attorneys' fees.

Petitioner received a lump sum of $180,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Attorneys' fees and costs of $24,808.43 were separately awarded jointly to petitioner and his counsel, Edward M.

Kraus of the Law Offices of Chicago Kent. Petitioner had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses.