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In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 13-605

Filed: February 2, 2015

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED

VICTORIA MCWILLIAMS, *

* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman

Petitioner, *

v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Reasonable Amount 

* Requested to which Respondent Does Not

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Object.

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * 

* 

Respondent. * 

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

Alfred V. Altopiedi, Alfred V. Altopiedi, P.C., Springfield, PA, for Petitioner.

Gordon E. Shemin, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION1

On August 23, 2013, Victoria McWilliams (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National 

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged that she 

suffered from cellulitis as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 24, 

2011. On November 14, 2014, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation. 

On January 30, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation regarding attorneys’ fees and costs. 

The parties have agreed to an award of $60,000.00 for attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with 

General Order Number 9, Petitioner represents that she has not personally incurred any expenses in 

pursuit of her claim.

The undersigned finds that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a 

reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate, pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems reasonable and appropriate. 

 

1 The undersigned intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal 

Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107 347, § 205, 116 

Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 

18(b), each party has 14 days within which to file a motion for redaction “of any information furnished by 

that party (1) that is trade secret or commercial or financial information and is privileged or confidential,

or (2) that are medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly 

unwarranted invasion of privacy.” In the absence of such motion, the entire decision will be available to 

the public. Id. 

2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National 

Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 

U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual 

sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
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Accordingly, the undersigned hereby awards the amount of $60,000.00, in the form of a check made 

payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Alfred V. Altopiedi.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court 

SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman 

Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman

Special Master

 

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Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of 

notice renouncing the right to seek review.