Sandra P. Reagan v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 12-279V Filed: April 23, 2013 Not for Publication

************************************* SANDRA P. REAGAN, *

*

Petitioner, *

* Damages decision based on v. * stipulation; influenza vaccine;

* chronic inflammatory SECRETARY OF HEALTH * demyelinating polyneuropathy; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré syndrome; fees

* and costs based on stipulation Respondent. *

*

************************************* Peter J. Sarda, Raleigh, NC, for petitioner.

Ann D. Martin, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

On April 22, 2013, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a result of her receipt of influenza vaccine on October 1, 2010. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that petitioner’s GBS, CIDP, or any other injury, was caused in fact by the influenza vaccine. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.

The court finds the terms to be reasonable, hereby adopts the parties’ stipulation, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards a lump sum of $125,000.00. The award shall be in the form of a check for $125,000.00 made payable to petitioner.

The parties have also agreed on an appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case. In accordance with the General Order #9 requirement, petitioner’s counsel asserts that petitioner did not incur any costs to pursue her petition.

Petitioner requests $18,415.50 in attorneys’ fees and costs to which respondent does not object. The undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards $18,415.50, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and the Creech Law Firm, P.A., in the amount of $18,415.50.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2 IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 23, 2013 /s/ Laura D. Millman

Laura D. Millman Special Master