# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 13

- 831 V

Filed: December 7 , 2016

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

ROBIN HARRISON, * UN PUBLISHED

*

* Special Master Hamilton

- Fieldman

Petitioner, *

*

v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;

* Reasonable Amount Requested

.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH *

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

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

Nicholas E. Bunch

, White, Getgey & Meyer

, Cincinnati, OH

, for Petitioner.

Jennifer L. Reynaud , United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS ’ FEES AND COSTS 1

On December 23, 2013

, Robin Harrison (“Petitioner”) petitioned for compensation under

the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa

- 1 to

- 34 (2012).

Petitioner alleged that the administration of a n influenza vaccine on November 2, 2010 caused

her to s uffer from Guillain

- Barr é Syndrome . On November 30, 2016 , a decision awarding

compensation was issued pursuant to a stipulation of the parties.

On November 16 , 2016 , Petitioner filed an application for attorneys’ fees and costs

. Petitioner req uested attorneys’ fees in the amount of $ 11,094.35

. See Petitioners’ Application at

1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,

the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Cou rt of Federal

Claims , in accordance with the purposes espoused in the E

- Government Act of 2002. See 44

U.S.C. § 3501 (20 12)

. Each party has 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 o f privacy.” Vaccine Rule

18(b).2 , filed Nov. 16 , 2016. Petitioner requested costs in the amount of $2 0

, 186.61 for exper t reports,

and other expenses, of which $4,500.00 were personally incurred in the course of this litigation

.

Id. at 1; see a lso Gen. Order 9 Statement, filed Nov. 16, 2016. Respondent indicated that “[t]o

the extent the special master is treating petitioner ’ s request for attorneys’ fees and costs as a

motion that requires a response from respondent, respondent . . . is satisfied that the statutory

requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case.” Respondent’s

Response at 2, filed Nov. 30, 2016. Respondent requested that the undersigned exercis e her

discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees and costs. Id. at 3.

The undersigned has re viewed Petitioner ’ s counsel’s detailed records of time and

expenses incurred in this case, and they appear reasonable. Petitioner’ s request for costs

personally incurred is also reasonable. In accordance with the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa

15(e) (2012), the undersigned finds that Petitioner is entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs

. Accordingly

, the undersigned hereby awards the amount o f $ 26,780.96 , in the form of a

check made payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’ s counsel, Nicholas E. Bunch, of

White, Getgey & Meyer ; and the amount of $4

, 5 0 0.00, in the form of a check made payable

to Petitioner only

. In the absence o f a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B,

t he clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ Lisa D. Hamilton

- Fieldman

Lisa D. Hamilton

- Fieldman

Special Master

2 Entry of judgment c an be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to

seek review. Vaccine Rule 11(a).