# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 16-433V Filed: July 24, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

PELLA PARKER,

Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Traci R. Patton, U.S. D epartment of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNE YS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On April 5, 2016, petiti oner filed a petition for co mpensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered right shoulder injuries as a result of an
influenza vaccination administered on Octo ber 16, 2013. On May 8, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 35.)

On June 23, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 39.) Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $13,904.00 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $570.02. ( Id. at 2.) In accordanc e with General Order #9,

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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 petitioner's counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Thus,

the total amount r equested is $14,474.02.

On June 26, 2017, respondent filed a response stating:

[r]espondent does not object to the over all amount sought, as it is not an unreasonable amount to have been incurred for proceedings in this case to date. Respondent’s lack of objection to the amount sought in this case should not be construed as admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or the other litigation

related costs.

(ECF No. 40).

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 costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonab leness of petitioner’s reques t and the lack of opposition from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and

costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $14,474.02 3 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly paya ble to petitioner, Pella Parker, and petitioner’s counsel, Maximillian J. Muller.

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.