In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 18-1048V

(not to be published)

VICKIE BRASHEAR

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Chief Special Master Corcoran

Date: October 29, 2019

Special Processing Unit (SPU); 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

On July 18, 2018, Vickie Brashear (“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 alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to 

vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the administration of an influenza (“flu”) 

vaccine on November 2, 2016. (Petition at 1). On August 26, 2019, a decision was 

issued by then-Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarding compensation to 

petitioner based the parties’ stipulation. (ECF No. 30). 

Petitioner has now filed a motion requesting attorney’s fees and costs, dated 

October 22, 2019 (ECF No. 34.), requesting a total award of $10,591.48 (representing 

$9,819.00 in fees plus $772.48 in costs). Pursuant to General Order #9, counsel for 

 

1 Although I have not designated this Decision for publication, it will be made available on the United States 

Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with 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, I agree that the 

identified material fits within this definition, I 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

Petitioner represents that Petitioner has not incurred out-of-pocket costs in pursuit of this 

litigation. Id. Respondent reacted to the motion on October 21, 2019, indicating that he 

does not object to the amount of attorney’s fees and costs as it is not an unreasonable 

amount for this case. (ECF No. 35). On October 25, 2019, by electronic correspondence, 

counsel for Petitioner notified the staff attorneys office that petitioner did not intend to file 

a reply. Respondent’s counsel was copied on all correspondence. 

 

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

15(e). I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s initial request, and 

based on my discretion and Vaccine Program experience, I find the requested hourly 

rates and work performed to be reasonable. I therefore approve the requested amount 

for attorney’s fees and costs. 

Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. I 

award a total of $10,591.48 (representing $9,819.00 in attorney’s fees and $772.48 in 

costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and her counsel, 

Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Esq. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see 

Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with 

this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran

Brian H. Corcoran

Chief Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice 

renouncing their right to seek review.