Patricia Santiago v. HHS - Influenza, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) (2025)

Patricia Santiago filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 16, 2019. The case is currently in the interim attorneys' fees and costs phase.

On December 18, 2024, the Special Master awarded Patricia Santiago $81,098.66 in interim attorneys' fees and costs. Petitioner subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration, requesting a higher hourly rate for her expert, Dr.

Omid Akbari, and arguing that the rate was commensurate with his expertise and had been awarded by other special masters. Respondent deferred to the Special Master's judgment.

On January 13, 2025, the Special Master denied Petitioner's motion for reconsideration, finding that the interest of justice did not warrant reconsideration of Dr. Akbari's rate and that other special masters' decisions were not binding.

The Special Master also noted that she would reconsider Dr. Akbari's rate in the final fees and costs application and reiterated concerns about excessive billing by Dr.

Akbari.