Bryan Paul v. HHS - Meningococcal, encephalopathy and residual seizure disorder (2023)

Jennifer Paul filed a petition on August 16, 2019, as legal guardian for her son, Bryan Paul, alleging he suffered encephalopathy and residual seizure disorder as a result of a meningococcal vaccine received on August 16, 2018. This decision addresses the petitioner's motion for interim attorneys' fees and costs.

The case has been pending for over three years, involving extensive filings of medical records and expert reports from both parties. Respondent did not object to the motion, stating that the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys' fees and costs were met.

The Special Master found that interim fees were warranted due to the protracted nature of the proceedings and the potential hardship on the petitioner. The court awarded $55,651.20 in attorneys' fees and $51,884.24 in costs, for a total of $107,535.44, payable jointly to the petitioner and her counsel.