Damien Dufour v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2016)

Damien Dufour filed a petition on March 20, 2014, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 5, 2011, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and related neurological symptoms. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the GBS or any other injury.

However, the parties reached a stipulation for damages. The court adopted this stipulation, awarding Damien Dufour a lump sum of $60,000.00 for all damages.

Subsequently, on February 22, 2016, Petitioner's counsel filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs, seeking $19,543.95. The respondent did not object to this amount.

The Special Master found that the petition was brought in good faith with a reasonable basis, and therefore awarded the requested $19,543.95 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Petitioner and his counsel. The total compensation awarded in this case was $79,543.95.