{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-1","petitioner_identifier":"Elisabeth Smirniotis","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":18.0,"age_unit_raw":"years (backfilled from staging text)","vaccine_type":"meningococcal and varicella","vaccination_date":null,"condition_raw":"neurological disorder and/or an autoimmune condition","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"unclear","award_amount_usd":20000,"decision_date":"2016-09-08","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:33:35.578958+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":null,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged a neurological disorder and/or an autoimmune condition following receipt of meningococcal and varicella vaccinations. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or any expert testimony. The case is ongoing with no entitlement decision issued. The Special Master awarded $20,000 in interim attorneys' fees and costs on September 8, 2016, based on a stipulation between petitioner's counsel, Robert J. Krakow, and respondent's counsel, Ann D. Martin, due to counsel's withdrawal from the case. The decision was issued by Special Master Laura D. Millman.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2016-02-12","case_summary":"On February 12, 2016, a petition was filed on behalf of Elisabeth Smirniotis, who had turned eighteen in 2015, alleging she suffered a neurological disorder and/or an autoimmune condition as a result of receiving meningococcal and varicella vaccinations. The initial petition was filed on July 16, 2014, by her parents. No entitlement decision has been issued in this case. The case experienced procedural delays, including multiple requests for extensions to file an expert report. On February 9, 2016, petitioner's counsel, Robert J. Krakow, filed an application for interim attorneys' fees and costs, seeking $27,201.10. Respondent's counsel, Ann D. Martin, agreed that $20,000 was an appropriate amount for the work performed but objected to an interim award, arguing there was no special showing of hardship or protracted proceedings to justify it, citing McKellar v. Sec'y of HHS. Special Master Laura D. Millman, citing precedent from Gabrielle v. Sec'y of HHS, Soto v. Sec'y of HHS, Woods v. Sec'y of HHS, Becker v. Sec'y of HHS, Bear v. Sec'y of HHS, Lumsden v. Sec'y of HHS, and Edmonds v. Sec'y of HHS, found that an interim award is appropriate when counsel withdraws from a case, as was happening here. The Special Master awarded $20,000 in interim attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to the petitioner and the Law Office of Robert J. Krakow, P.C. The decision date for this interim award was September 8, 2016, though the initial filing for fees was February 9, 2016. The ultimate outcome of the case regarding entitlement and final compensation remains unclear as of this decision. The public decision does not describe the onset, specific symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. The public decision does not name any experts for either party.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Laura D. Millman","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"J. Krakow","petitioner_attorney_firm":null,"petitioner_attorney_location":"New York, NY","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|krakow|","firm_canonical_key":null,"package_title":"SMIRNIOTIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-0","title":"SMIRNIOTIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/12/2016) regarding 45 DECISION Interim Fees Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2016-03-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":215211,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-1","title":"SMIRNIOTIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/11/2016) regarding 59 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (kh) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2016-09-08","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":877109,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00617-1"}]}