Ginger Pahos v. HHS - Influenza, neuromyelitis optica (2023)

Ginger Pahos filed a petition on October 5, 2017, alleging that she suffered neuromyelitis optica as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 8, 2014. The respondent filed a report recommending denial of compensation.

The case involved extensive litigation, including the submission of multiple expert reports from both parties and a two-day entitlement hearing held in November 2022. On March 3, 2023, Ms.

Pahos filed a motion for interim attorneys' fees and costs, requesting a total of $61,304.51 for her first attorney and $251,178.47 for her current attorney. The Special Master reviewed the request, making some adjustments to hourly rates for paralegal and one attorney, but ultimately found the requested fees and costs to be reasonable given the protracted nature of the litigation and the occurrence of an entitlement hearing.

The decision granted the motion for interim attorneys' fees and costs, awarding specific amounts to be paid jointly to the petitioner and her various law firms.