In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-258V

Filed: October 25, 2016

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

LAUREN NATALIE LEE, * UNPUBLISHED

*

* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman

Petitioner, *

*

v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;

* Reasonable Amount Requested

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * to which Respondent Does Not

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Object. 

*

Respondent. *

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

Mark L. Krueger, Krueger & Hernandez, S.C., Baraboo, WI, for Petitioner.

Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION1

On April 2, 2014, Lauren Natalie Lee (“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 human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccines on 

November 3, 2006, December 28, 2006, and April 13, 2007 caused her to develop premature 

ovarian failure. Petition at Preamble, filed Apr. 2, 2014. On May 9, 2016, a decision dismissing 

this case was issued, as the claim was time-barred by the Act’s statute of limitations.

 

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 purposes espoused in the E-Government Act of 2002. See 44

U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). 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).
On October 13, 2016, Petitioner filed an application for attorneys’ fees and costs. 

Petitioner requested compensation in the amount of $15,048.69 for attorneys’ fees and costs, of 

which Petitioner personally incurred costs in the amount of $400.00. Petitioner’s Application at 

4, filed Oct. 13, 2016. “Respondent does not object to the overall amount sought, as it is not an 

unreasonable amount to have been incurred for proceedings in this case to date.” Response at 1, 

filed Oct. 25, 2016. Respondent noted that her lack of objection should not be construed as an 

admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or 

the other litigation related costs. Id. 

In accordance with the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e) (2012), the undersigned 

finds that Petitioner’s request for fees and costs is reasonable. Accordingly, the undersigned 

hereby awards the amount of $14,648.69, in the form of a check made payable jointly to 

Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Mark L. Krueger, of Krueger & Hernandez, S.C; and 

awards the amount of $400.00, in the form of a check made payable to Petitioner only. 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.

2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman

 Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman

Special Master

 

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

seek review. Vaccine Rule 11(a).