Donald Butts, Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2017)

Donald Butts, Jr. filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 25, 2017, alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 2, 2015. The parties entered into a joint stipulation, and a decision awarding compensation was issued on May 31, 2017.

Subsequently, on June 6, 2017, Mr. Butts filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs, requesting $9,390.00 in fees and $1,863.15 in costs, totaling $11,253.15.

The respondent did not object to the statutory requirements for an award and recommended that the Chief Special Master exercise her discretion. The Chief Special Master reviewed the billing records, found the request reasonable, and awarded the full amount of $11,253.15 as a lump sum, jointly payable to the petitioner and his counsel.