# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 16-571V Filed: March 30, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RENATE DAVISON, *

* Petitioner, *

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

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * John Howie, Howie Law, P.C., Dallas, TX, for petitioner. Traci Patton Tayman, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNE YS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On May 12, 2016, petitioner filed a petit ion for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffe red from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination. On December 23, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to pet itioner based on the parti es’ stipulation. (ECF No. 17).

On January 31, 2017, petitioner filed a moti on for attorneys’ fees and costs (ECF No. 22) and on February 24, 2017, petitioner f iled supporting documentation related to

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Cour t of Federal Claims'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). Case 1:16-vv-00571-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/30/17 Page 1 of 22 attorneys’ costs. (ECF No. 25.) Petitioner requests attor neys’ fees in the amount of $13,678 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $1,776.51 for a total amount of $15,454.51. Id. at 1. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating petitioner in curred no out-of-pocket expenses.

On February 3, 2017, respondent filed a re sponse to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No. 23). In his response, respondent stat ed he does not object to the overall amount sought, as it is not unreasonable for proceedings in this case. Id. at 1.

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 cost s. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned

GRANTS petitioner’s motion for atto rneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $15,454.51 3 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel John Robert Howie, Jr.

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. Case 1:16-vv-00571-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/30/17 Page 2 of 2