# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 16

- 0739 V

Filed: February 20, 2018

UNPUBLISHED

IRMA SALAS

,

Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA , for petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles , U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY S’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey

, Chief Special Master:

On June 22, 2016 , Irma Salas (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa

- 10, et

seq.

, 2 (the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered injuries to her left shoulder after receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”), Hepatitis A (“Hep A”), and measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”) vaccines on October 16, 2013. Petition at 1

. On September 7, 2017 , the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the respondent’s proffer

. (ECF No. 43 ).

On February 7, 2018, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 47 ). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $ 21,685.70 and

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance wi th

the E

- Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits

within this definiti on, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.

2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99

- 660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).2 attorneys’ costs in the amount of $ 2,675.05 . ( Id. at 1-2). In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating that petitioner incurred no out

- of

pocket expenses. ( Id at 2). Thus, the total amount requested is $ 24,360.75

.

On February 7, 2018, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF

No. 49 ). Respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” ( Id. at 1 )

. Respondent adds, however, that he “is

satis fied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in

this case.” ( Id. at 2 )

. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees

an d costs.” ( Id. at 3 )

.

Petitioner has filed no reply.

The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned

GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly , the undersigned awards the total of $ 24,360.75 3 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Ronald Craig Homer.

T he clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master

3 This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered.

Furthe rmore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging or collecting fees (including costs) that would

be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs.

, 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).

4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.