In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-914V 

Filed: May 10, 2017 

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

MICHAEL ANGELL and ANNA ANGELL * 

on behalf of D.A., * 

 * Special Master Sanders 

Petitioners, * 

 * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; 

v. * Reasonable Amount Requested. 

 * 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

Respondent. * 

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

Mark T. Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for Petitioners.

Darryl R. Wishard, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. 

DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

 On September 29, 2014, Michael Angell and Anna Angell (“Petitioners”) filed a petition 

on behalf of their minor daughter, D.A., for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine 

Injury Compensation Program.2

42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012). Petitioners alleged that as 

a result of human papillomavirus vaccines (“HPV”) administered on October 4, 2011, February 

23, 2012, and June 11, 2012, D.A. suffered from hair loss, seborrheic dermatitis, and alopecia 

totalis. Decision Stipulation, ECF No. 42. On September 6, 2016, Special Master Hamilton-

 

1 This decision shall be posted 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), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information that 

satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a 

motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, the 

undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, such 

material will be deleted from public access. 

2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. 

No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (2012) 

(hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). Hereinafter, individual section references will be to 42 

U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act. 

 
2

Fieldman issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioners pursuant to the parties’ 

stipulation. Id. 

 

On March 5, 2017, Petitioners filed an application for attorneys’ fees and costs. Mot. 

Att’ys’ Fees & Costs, ECF No. 49. Petitioners requested attorneys’ fees in the amount of 

$26,306.97, and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $10,417.83, for a total of $36,724.80. Pet’rs’ 

Ex. A at 21-23, ECF No. 49-1. Petitioners averred that they incurred no personal costs during 

the litigation of their case. Mot. Att’ys’ Fees 2. 

Respondent indicated that “[t]o the extent the Special Master is treating [P]etitioners’ 

request for attorneys’ fees and costs as a motion that requires a response from [R]espondent . . . 

Respondent is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are 

met in this case.” Resp’t’s Resp. 2, ECF No. 33. Respondent recommended that the 

undersigned exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees and 

costs. Id. at 3. 

 The undersigned has reviewed Petitioners’ counsel’s detailed records of time and 

expenses incurred in this case, and they are reasonable. In accordance with the Vaccine Act, 42 

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e) (2012), the undersigned finds that Petitioners are entitled to attorneys’ fees 

and costs. Accordingly, the undersigned hereby awards the amount of $36,724.80,3in the 

form of a check made payable jointly to Petitioners and Petitioners’ counsel, Mark T. 

Sadaka, of the Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC. 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.4

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 s/Herbrina D. Sanders 

 Herbrina D. Sanders 

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

seek review. Vaccine Rule 11(a).