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

No. 15-048V

Filed: July 6, 2015

(Unpublished)

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

LOUIS DANNI, *

*

Petitioner, *

v. *

* Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation;

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

HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

*

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Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester, NY, for petitioner.

Linda S. Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

On January 20, 2015, Louis Danni 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 suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome 

(“GBS”) resulting from the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on September 11, 2014. 

Petition at 1. On July 2, 2015, I issued a decision awarding damages to petitioner 

based on a joint stipulation.

On July 6, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’

Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an award of 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend 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 (2006).

 
$18,621.25. 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 $18,621.253 as a lump sum in the form of a 

check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Matthew F. Belanger.

The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Denise K. Vowell 

Denise K. Vowell

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).

2