Mary Ellen Potter v. HHS - tetanus, arm pain and lipomas (2015)

Mary Ellen Potter filed a petition on January 26, 2015, alleging that she suffered arm pain and lipomas caused by a tetanus vaccine she received on July 6, 2012. She further alleged that the residual effects of these injuries lasted for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the tetanus vaccine caused Ms. Potter's alleged injuries.

The parties, represented by counsel Jeffrey S. Pop for the petitioner and Lindsay Corliss for the respondent, reached a stipulation to resolve the matter.

Special Master Laura D. Millman reviewed the stipulation and found its terms to be reasonable.

On January 26, 2015, the court adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms. Potter $30,000.00 in total compensation for all damages.

Subsequently, on June 10, 2015, the parties filed a separate stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs. Petitioner asserted that she incurred no costs.

Petitioner's counsel, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, submitted an application for attorneys' fees and costs, which was amended to $11,000.00 after respondent raised objections to certain items.

Respondent did not object to the revised amount. Special Master Millman found the $11,000.00 amount to be reasonable and awarded it as reimbursement for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Mary Ellen Potter and Jeffrey S.

Pop & Associates. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.