Amaryllis R. Munoz-Colon v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2014)

Amaryllis R. Munoz-Colon filed a petition on June 10, 2013, alleging that a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 3, 2012 caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury. Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed May 13, 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 $220,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The parties subsequently agreed to attorneys' fees and costs of $25,806.41, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Pedro J. Saade-Llorens of Saade & Saade Law Firm.

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