Patricia Huhmann v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2014)

Patricia Huhmann filed a petition on November 13, 2013, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered in her left arm on November 16, 2010, caused her to develop pain in her left shoulder. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that the alleged injury was consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and had lasted for more than six months.

The respondent further stated that Ms. Huhmann had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.

Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the record and issued a ruling on May 13, 2014, finding that Ms.

Huhmann was entitled to compensation. A status conference was scheduled to discuss the quantification of damages.

Subsequently, on January 21, 2015, the respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final attorneys' fees and costs. Petitioner had initially submitted a draft application for fees and costs, to which the respondent raised objections.

Following discussions, the petitioner amended her application to request $20,344.31, an amount to which the respondent did not object. Special Master Moran issued a decision on January 22, 2015, awarding this amount in attorneys' fees and costs.

The award was a lump sum of $20,344.31, payable by check to both Ms. Huhmann and her attorney, Kathy A.

Lee. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, treatments, or the mechanism of injury.

Petitioner was represented by Kathy A. Lee of Cline, Farrell, et al., and respondent was represented by Claudia B.

Gangi of the United States Department of Justice.