In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 13-666V 

(Not to be published) 

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

 * 

APRIL HUFFMAN, as mother and natural * Filed: March 31, 2015

guardian of B.C., * 

 * 

 Petitioner, * 

 * 

 v. * Decision; Attorney’s 

 * Fees & Costs 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * 

HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

 * 

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

Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. 

Debra Begley, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. 

ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS DECISION1

On September 11, 2013, April Huffman, as mother and natural guardian of B.C., filed a 

petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2

Thereafter, on October 31, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation settling the case and detailing the 

amount to be awarded to Petitioner. I subsequently issued a decision finding the parties’ stipulation 

to be reasonable and granting Petitioner an award as outlined in the stipulation. 

 

1

 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, it will be posted on the website of 

the United States Court of Federal Claims, 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)). As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 

300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. To 

do so, Vaccine Rule 18(b) provides that each party has fourteen (14) days within which to request redaction “of any 

information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged 

or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly 

unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the decision will be available to the public. Id.

2

 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act 

of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 through 34 (2006)) 

[hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”]. Individual sections references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act. 
2 

On March 30, 2015, the parties filed another stipulation, this time regarding attorney’s fees 

and costs. Petitioner requests reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of 

$30,500.00. This amount represents a sum to which Respondent does not object. In addition, and 

in compliance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner’s counsel asserts that Petitioner has not 

personally incurred litigation costs in conjunction with this proceeding on the Petition. 

I approve the requested amount for attorney’s fees and costs as reasonable. Accordingly, 

an award of $30,500.00 should be made in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and 

Petitioner’s counsel, Jeffery S. Pop, and Jeffery S. Pop and Associates. Payment of this amount 

represents all attorney’s fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). In the absence of 

a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court SHALL ENTER 

JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 /s/ Brian H. Corcoran

 Brian H. Corcoran 

 Special Master 

 

3

 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately) 

a notice renouncing their right to seek review.