Phillip Bernotas v. HHS - Tdap, brachial neuritis (2017)

Phillip Bernotas filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 14, 2017, alleging he suffered brachial neuritis as a result of receiving a Tdap vaccine on September 21, 2013. The parties entered into a joint stipulation for compensation, and a decision awarding compensation was issued on June 16, 2017.

Subsequently, Mr. Bernotas filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs, requesting $16,310.50 in fees and $761.12 in costs, for a total of $17,071.62.

Respondent did not object to the statutory requirements for the award. The Chief Special Master reviewed the billing records and found the requested rates and hours to be reasonable, awarding the full amount of $17,071.62 as a lump sum payable jointly to the petitioner and his counsel.