Award of Attorney's Fees and Costs in Vaccine Compensation Case
Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Blessing Maduagwu $13,536.67 in attorney's fees and costs for his successful petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The award was made after a thorough review of the billing records and documentation provided by Maduagwu's counsel. Respondent did not object to the rates or amounts sought, and the Chief Special Master found the request reasonable.
Key Takeaways:
- The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is a no-fault compensation program for individuals who have been injured by vaccines.
- The program is administered by the United States Court of Federal Claims and provides compensation for injuries related to vaccine administration.
- Petitioner Blessing Maduagwu alleged that he suffered a Table injury - shoulder injury related to vaccine administration as a result of the administration of his September 23, 2022 influenza vaccination.
- Maduagwu filed a petition for compensation on October 31, 2023, and a decision awarding compensation was issued on February 19, 2025.
- The Chief Special Master reviewed the billing records and documentation provided by Maduagwu's counsel and found the request for attorney's fees and costs reasonable.
- The award amounts to $13,536.67, consisting of $13,038.70 in fees and $497.97 in costs.
- The fees and costs will be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement.
Statistics:
- $13,536.67: total amount awarded for attorney's fees and costs
- $13,038.70: amount awarded for attorney's fees
- $497.97: amount awarded for costs
- 14 days: time period within which Petitioner has to identify and move to redact medical or other information to be removed from public access on the court's website.
Sources:
- United States Court of Federal Claims, OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1923V, Blessing Maduagwu, Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.