Caprice Angelica Marcum v. HHS - Pneumococcal, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (2023)

Caprice Angelica Marcum filed a petition on January 21, 2020, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of the Prevnar 13 vaccine she received on October 11, 2018. This decision addresses her application for interim attorneys' fees and costs.

The court found that the petition was filed in good faith and with a reasonable basis, supported by expert reports from Dr. Lawrence Steinman, who theorized that the vaccine caused GBS through molecular mimicry.

The court awarded Caprice Marcum $84,288.03 in interim attorneys' fees and costs. This award was granted in part, with a reduction for clerical and administrative tasks billed by her attorney, John Shipley.

The decision also detailed the hourly rates and hours reasonably expended for both attorney and expert fees, noting that Dr. Steinman's rate of $550.00 per hour was consistent with recent awards.