{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358-0","petitioner_identifier":"J.S.","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"Measles-Mumps-Rubella","vaccination_date":"2023-08-19","condition_raw":"encephalopathic event and associated seizure disorder","condition_category":"seizure_disorder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"unclear","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2025-06-20","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-07-16T21:33:27.402204+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"unclear","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2024-03-06","case_summary":"Suriya Sortheppharak and Jade Casteneda, on behalf of their minor child J.S., filed a petition for compensation on March 6, 2024, alleging that J.S. suffered an encephalopathic event and associated seizure disorder due to receipt of a Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine on August 19, 2023. The case is currently before the Office of Special Masters. This decision addresses a motion for interim attorney's fees and costs filed by Petitioners' counsel. The requested fees and costs were $23,970.89. Respondent deferred to the court's discretion regarding the award. The Special Master found an interim award appropriate, largely due to a substitution of counsel. While reviewing the billing records, the Special Master identified some tasks billed at an attorney rate that should have been billed at a paralegal rate, leading to a reduction in the fee award. The requested costs of $1,221.39 were found reasonable and awarded in full. The total award for attorney's fees and costs was $23,138.39.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":null,"petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Andrew D. Downing","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Downing, Allison & Jorgenson","petitioner_attorney_location":"Phoenix, AZ","adjudicator_name":"Brian H. Corcoran","caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-07-17 09:43:15","attorney_canonical_keys":"|andrew-downing|","firm_canonical_key":"downing-allison-and-jorgenson","date_of_birth":null,"vaccine_type_canonical":"MMR","condition_category_specifics":null,"fees_and_costs_usd":null,"attorney_unavailable_reason":null,"is_fees_only":null,"decision_type":"unclear","decision_type_source":"manual","package_title":"SORTHEPPHARAK et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358-0","title":"SORTHEPPHARAK et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/20/2025) regarding 34 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (mva) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-08-19","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":280731,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"keep [recovered-absent-case-2026-07-16] orig-skip: fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00358-0"}]}