# In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 16-1261V Filed: June 12, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DONCELLA H. VONCANNON, *

* Petitioner, *

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

* Respondent. *

*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Nancy Meyers, Ward Black Law, Greensboro, NC, for petitioner. Sarah Duncan, U.S. Department of Just ice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNE YS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On October 4, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensat ion Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following an October 6, 2015 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. On May 10, 2017, the undersigned issued a decisi on awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipul ation. (ECF No. 25).

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Cour t of Federal Claims’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 On May 24, 2017, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 30). 3 Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $12,257.00, attorneys’ costs in the amount of $455.56, for a tota l amount of $12,712.56. Id. at 1. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

In the undersigned’s experience, the r equest appears reasonable. The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for atto rneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $12,712.56 4 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Nancy R. Meyers.

The clerk of the court shall ent er judgment in accordance herewith. 5

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master

3 The motion was filed as an unopposed motion and spec ifically states that respondent has no objection to the overall amount sought. ECF No. 30 at 1.

4 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).

5 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.