Kipp Mickles v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's palsy (2025)

Kipp Mickles filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 27, 2024, alleging that an influenza vaccination on December 16, 2021, caused him to develop Bell's palsy. This decision addresses an interim motion for attorneys' fees and costs filed by Petitioner's counsel.

Petitioner requested $54,131.00 in attorneys' fees and $1,507.45 in costs, for a total of $55,638.45. Respondent deferred to the Special Master regarding the reasonableness of the claim.

The Special Master found that the petition was brought in good faith and with a reasonable basis, making an interim award appropriate. However, the Special Master reduced the requested attorneys' fees by 10% ($5,413.10) due to non-compensable administrative tasks, block billing, excessive hours spent on certain tasks, and double billing.

The requested costs of $1,507.45 were awarded in full. Accordingly, the Special Master awarded a total of $50,225.35 in interim attorneys' fees and costs.