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In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 13-905V

Filed: March 25, 2015

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED

JAMES D SAFFOLD, *

 * Special Master Gowen

Petitioner, *

 * Joint Stipulation;

v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;

 * 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

 *

Respondent. *

 *

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

Diana L. Stadelnikas Sedar, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.

Linda S. Renzi, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

On November 13, 2013, James D. Saffold (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the 

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

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42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner 

alleged that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 6, 2012, he

developed Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”). Petition ¶¶ 1, 7. On January 14, 2015, the parties 

notified the Court that they have reached a tentative agreement and intend to file a joint stipulation 

for compensation. See Order, filed Jan. 14, 2015.

 

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 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 Vaccine Rule 

18(b), 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 of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b).

2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in 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-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to 

individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
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On March 24, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys’ fees and costs. 

Petitioner requests a total award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $16,378.87. 

Stipulation at ¶ 3. Respondent does not object to this amount. Id. In accordance with General Order 

#9, petitioner represents that he did not personally incur costs related to this proceeding. Id. at 4. 

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 motion, the undersigned GRANTS the 

request for approval and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:

(1) in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney, 

Diana L. Stadelnikas Sedar, of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, in the amount of 

$16,378.87.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the 

court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance herewith.

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IT IS SO ORDERED. 

s/ Thomas L. Gowen

Thomas L. Gowen

Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of 

notice renouncing the right to seek review.