John James Bieber v. HHS - Influenza, progressive multifocal motor neuropathy (2015)

Julie Cochran, as daughter and heir to John James Bieber (deceased), filed a petition on July 17, 2013, alleging that a trivalent influenza (flu) vaccination Mr. Bieber received on or about October 9, 2012 caused him to develop a progressive multifocal motor neuropathy and that his death was a sequela of his vaccine-related injury.

Respondent denied that Mr. Bieber's flu vaccination caused his neuropathy or his death.

Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed September 17, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Moran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Ms. Cochran, as legal representative of the estate of John James Bieber, received a lump sum of $345,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The parties subsequently agreed to attorneys' fees and costs of $32,500.00, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Michael G. McLaren of Black McLaren et al.

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