In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 15-444V

Filed: May 18, 2016

UNPUBLISHED

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ELIZABETH S. BELL, *

*

Petitioner, *

v. *

* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

*

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

Glenn Edwards Bowens, Bowens Law firm, Winnsboro, SC, for petitioner.

Doulas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On May 1, 2015, petitioner filed a petition 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 suffered a shoulder injury as a result of a September 

14, 2010 influenza vaccination. On November 20, 2015, the undersigned issued a 

decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 

21).

 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 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 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), petitioner has 14 days to 

identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an 

unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the 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 Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 

300aa (2012).
2

On May 18, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and 

costs. (ECF No. 26).3 Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $8,500.00

and petitioner’s out-of-pocket costs in the amount of $492.40. Id. at 1. In compliance 

with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating petitioner 

incurred $492.40 in out-of-pocket expenses. 

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 attorneys’ fees and 

costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $8,992.404 as follows:

• A lump sum of $8,500.00, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ 

fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner 

and petitioner’s counsel, Glenn Edwards Bowens, Esq.; and

• A lump sum of $492.40, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s 

costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey

Nora Beth Dorsey

Chief Special Master

 3 Petitioner attached to the motion an e-mail correspondence wherein respondent’s counsel states that 

respondent has no objection to petitioner’s motion. 

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 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).

5 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice 

renouncing the right to seek review.