# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 16-355V Filed: July 15, 2016

UNPUBLISHED

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * JAMES HOOPER, *

* Petitioner, *

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

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Traci Patton, U.S. Department of Ju stice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNE YS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On March 18, 2016, petit ioner filed a petition fo r compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensat ion Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that he suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration following a November 10, 2014 hepatitis B vaccination. On June 23, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awar ding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 18).

On July 11, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 22). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $12,646.50 and attorneys’

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Cour t of Federal Claims'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 Ac t will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).2 costs in the amount of $507.93 for a total amount of $13,154.43. Id. at 2. In

accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

On July 13, 2016, respondent filed a response stating respondent has no objection to the overall amount sought. (ECF No. 23).

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 $13,154.43 3 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel

Paul R. Brazil.

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.