Sheila R. Young v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (2017)

Sheila R. Young filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of her influenza vaccination on November 5, 2014.

She stated that she received the vaccination in the United States and suffered the sequelae of her injury for more than six months, with no previous award or settlement. Respondent denied that the vaccination caused her alleged GBS.

The parties later filed a joint stipulation for damages, agreeing that petitioner should receive compensation. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $190,000.00 for all items of damages. Subsequently, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs, requesting $26,286.25 in fees and $1,844.09 in costs.

Respondent stated that the statutory requirements were met and recommended the court determine a reasonable award. The court reviewed the billing records and made several reductions for paralegal work billed at an attorney rate, duplicative billing, and time spent researching the Vaccine Program and training staff.

The final award for attorneys' fees and costs was $26,630.34.