David Shmoel v. HHS - Pneumococcal, thyroiditis (2025)

David Shmoel filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 6, 2025, alleging he suffered thyroiditis resulting from a pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on January 11, 2023. His former counsel, Andrew Donald Downing, filed a motion for interim attorneys' fees and costs totaling $17,079.26, citing the need to resolve outstanding receivables as his practice winds down.

Respondent did not oppose the motion. The Special Master found that the petition was filed in good faith and with a reasonable basis, noting that treating physician records attributed the thyroiditis to the vaccination and citing literature associating thyroiditis with pneumonia.

The Special Master awarded the full requested amount of interim attorneys' fees and costs, to be paid to Mr. Downing's IOLTA account.