# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-1167V Filed: July 20, 2017
UNPUBLISHED

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RENE BRIDGES, *

* Petitioner, *

v. * * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ronald Craig Homer, Conw ay, Homer, & Chin-Capl an, P.C., for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNE YS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On December 4, 2014, pet itioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensat ion Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of her influenza vaccination on De cember 12, 2011. On December 13, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ Stipulation. (ECF No. 49).

On April 6, 2017, petitioner filed an application for at torneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 53). Petitioner requests attor neys’ fees in the amount of $40,111.90, attorneys’ costs in the am ount of $1,404.94, and pet itioner’s out-of-pocket costs in the

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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. 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 inform ation, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, t he 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 amount of $1,049.62 for a tota l amount of $42,566.46. ( Id. at 1.) In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a si gned statement on June 7, 2017 indicating petitioner incurred $1,049.62 in out-o f-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 56.)

On April 24, 2017, respondent filed a respons e to petitioner’s application. (ECF No. 54). Respondent argues that “[n]eit her the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the re solution of a request by a petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that he “is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in

this case.” Id. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special

Master exercise her discretion and determi ne a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees

and costs.” Id. at 3.

The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and cost s. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned
GRANTS petitioner’s application for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $42,566.46 3 as follows:

 A lump sum of $41,516.84, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s coun sel, Ronald Craig Homer; and

 A lump sum of $1,049.62, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

The clerk of the court shall ent er judgment in accordance herewith. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master

3 This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced co sts” as well as fees for legal services rendered. Furthermore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from char ging or collecting fees (including costs) that would

be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).

4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment c an be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.