In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 18-1941V 

(not to be published)

SHARON MUELLER,

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Chief Special Master Corcoran

Filed: September 21, 2021

Special Processing Unit (SPU); 

Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for 

Petitioner.

Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS1

On December 19, 2018, Sharon Mueller filed a petition for compensation under 

the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the 

“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine 

administration as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on November 10, 2017. 

(Petition at 1). On March 3, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to 

Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. (ECF No. 38). 

1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 

required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the EGovernment Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic 

Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the 

internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact 

medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. 

If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated August 29, 

2021 (ECF No. 43), requesting an award of $37,777.99 (representing $35,416.30 in fees 

and $2,361.69 in costs). In accordance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner filed a signed 

statement indicating that she incurred out-of-pocket expenses. (Id. at 2). Respondent 

reacted to the motion on September 13, 2021, indicating that he is satisfied that the 

statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this case, but 

deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. (ECF No. 44). On 

September 14, 2021, Petitioner filed a reply requesting fees and costs be awarded in full. 

(ECF No. 45). 

I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my 

experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested 

hours or rates. 

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

Section 15(e). Accordingly, Petitioner is awarded the total amount of $37,795.393

as follows:

• A lump sum of $37,777.99, representing reimbursement for 

attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to 

Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel; and

• A lump sum of $17.40, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s 

costs, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.

In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of 

the Court), the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran

Brian H. Corcoran

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 costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered. 

Furthermore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging 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), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice 

renouncing their right to seek review.