Ramona Mary Mestas v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) (2015)

Ramona Mary Mestas filed a petition on September 2, 2014, alleging that an influenza vaccine she received on August 31, 2011, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and experience residual effects for more than six months. The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

Respondent denied that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury. The parties reached a stipulation regarding compensation, which Special Master Christian J.

Moran adopted as the Court's decision on September 29, 2015. Under the stipulation, Ms.

Mestas was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, payable to her, as compensation for all damages. Subsequently, on October 1, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning attorneys' fees and costs.

Respondent did not object to petitioner's request for $5,591.70 in attorneys' fees and costs. Special Master Christian J.

Moran awarded a lump sum of $5,991.70, payable to petitioner and her attorney, Stephen I. Leshner, for attorneys' fees and litigation costs.

Additionally, a lump sum of $400.00 was awarded, payable to Ramona Mary Mestas, for her out-of-pocket costs. The total award for attorneys' fees and costs was $6,391.70.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case.