Torren Grace v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2015)

Torren Grace filed a petition on June 24, 2014, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 17, 2012, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and that he experienced residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr.

Grace's GBS or any other injury. The parties reached a joint stipulation regarding compensation, which Special Master Christian J.

Moran adopted. Under this stipulation, Mr.

Grace was awarded a lump sum of $85,000.00 for all damages. Subsequently, on June 9, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys' fees and costs.

Petitioner's counsel, Diana L. Stadelnikas Sedar of Maglio, Christopher & Toale, PA, initially submitted an application for fees and costs, to which the respondent raised objections.

Following discussions, the petitioner amended the application to request $15,000.00, an amount to which the respondent did not object. Special Master Christian J.

Moran awarded this amount, payable to both the petitioner and his attorney. The total compensation awarded to Mr.

Grace was $100,000.00 ($85,000.00 for damages and $15,000.00 for attorneys' fees and costs). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.