M.F. v. HHS - DTaP, Kawasaki disease (2020)

Terrence and Michelle Francis filed a petition on behalf of their son, M.F., alleging that he suffered from Kawasaki disease, which was either caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the DTaP, Hib, IPV, pneumococcal conjugate, and rotavirus vaccines he received on June 14, 2012. The petition was filed on May 5, 2015.

This decision addresses an application for interim attorneys' fees and costs filed on August 30, 2019. The court found that the petition was filed in good faith and with a reasonable basis, supported by extensive medical records and an expert report.

The proceedings have been ongoing since 2015, and an entitlement hearing was scheduled for October 2020. To avoid undue financial hardship, the court awarded interim attorneys' fees and costs.

The total award for interim attorneys' fees and costs was $40,644.81, covering legal services and expenses such as medical records, postage, filing fees, and expert witness fees.