In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 15-303V

Filed: September 25, 2015

Unpublished

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

ROBERT VANOSDOL, *

*

Petitioner, *

v. *

* Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation

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

HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

*

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

John Robert Howie, Jr., Howie Law, P.C., Dallas TX, for petitioner.

Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On March 25, 2015, Robert VanOsdol filed a petition for compensation under the 

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,

2 [the 

“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleged that he experienced brachial neuritis 

after receiving a Tentanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap”) vaccine on April 

13, 2012. On July 30, 2015, I issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner 

based on the parties’ stipulation.

On September 25, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact Concerning 

Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an 

 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend 

to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the EGovernment Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 

U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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).
award of $8,832.19. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel 

represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 

U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). I find the proposed amount to be reasonable.

Accordingly, I award the total of $8,832.193 as a lump sum in the form of a 

check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel John R. Howie, Jr.

The clerk of the court shall enter 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 costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered. 

Furthermore, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 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. 

See Vaccine Rule 11(a).