Rodney Reese v. HHS - Pneumococcal, death (2023)

Reginald Reese, as administrator of the estate of Rodney Reese, filed a petition alleging that the pneumococcal and Tdap vaccinations Mr. Reese received on August 7, 2018, led to his death the following day.

The petition alleged that the vaccinations caused severe sepsis, profound systemic inflammatory response, cerebral edema (brain swelling) and herniation, and a seizure, ultimately resulting in his death. The case proceeded as an off-Table claim, with expert reports from a cardiologist, pathologist, and immunologist opining that the vaccinations caused Mr.

Reese's death. The court awarded interim attorneys' fees and costs totaling $145,413.55.

The decision details the legal standards for interim awards, including good faith, reasonable basis, and undue hardship, and addresses the reasonableness of the requested attorneys' fees and expert costs, making specific reductions for excessive billing and hourly rates. The final outcome of the case regarding full compensation is not detailed in this interim fee decision.