In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 14-745V 

Filed: November 13, 2015 

UNPUBLISHED 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

KATHLEEN FARINA, * 

 * 

 Petitioner, * 

 v. * 

 * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Stipulation 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

 * 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Rick M. Schoenfield, DiVincenzo, Schoenfield, and Swartzman, Chicago, IL, for 

petitioner. 

Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master: 

 

 On August 19, 2014, 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”]. Petitioner alleged that as the result of an influenza [“flu”] vaccination on 

October 11, 2012, she suffered from Guillain Barre Syndrome [“GBS”]. On September 

9, 2015, a decision issued awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ 

stipulation. 

 On November 13, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to an 

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 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 with 

the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended 

at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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 definition, 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 

award of $ 17,195.00 representing all attorney and paralegal fees and costs, and an 

award of $400.00 representing petitioner’s personally incurred out-of-pockets costs. 

 The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 

U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the 

lack of any objection by respondent, the undersigned GRANTS the request for approval 

and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs. 

Accordingly, the undersigned awards: 

1. $17,195.00 in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and 

petitioner’s counsel, Rick Schoenfield; and 

2. $400.00 in the form of a check solely payable to petitioner. 3

 The 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 These amounts are 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. Furthermore, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 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.