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In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

Filed: July 2, 2015 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED 

BRUCE GOLDSMITH, * No. 13-603v 

 * 

Petitioner, * Special Master Dorsey 

* 

v. * 

 * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Reasonable Amount Requested to which 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Respondent Does not Object. 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

 * 

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

Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Rawls, McNelis and Mitchell, PC, Richmond, VA, for petitioner.

Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS DECISION1

On August 23, 2013, Bruce Goldsmith (“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 a trivalent influenza (flu) vaccine, administered to him on October 20, 

2010, caused him to suffer a significant aggravation of his previously diagnosed transverse 

myelitis, resulting in increased pain, gait deterioration, diminution in balance and other 

neurological sequalae. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleged that he suffered the residual 

effects or complications of his vaccine injury for more than six months. Id. at 6. On February 

 

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 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case, 

the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal 

Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 

2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which 

to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or 

commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes 

medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted 

invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the entire decision will be available to the 

public. Id. 

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 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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27, 2015, the undersigned entered a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on a 

stipulation filed by the parties. 

On July 2, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’ Fees and 

Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to a total award to petitioner of 

attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $28,000.00. In accordance with General Order #9, 

petitioner’s counsel states that petitioner advanced $500.00, in reimbursable costs in pursuit of 

this claim. 

 The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 

300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of any objection 

by respondent, the undersigned GRANTS the request for approval and payment of attorneys’ 

fees and costs. 

Accordingly, an award should be made as follows: 

(1) in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney, 

Elizabeth M. Muldowney, of the law firm of Rawls, McNelis & Mitchell, in the 

amount of $28,000.00, and 

(2) in the form of a check payable to petitioner only in the amount of $500.00. 

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/Nora Beth Dorsey 

 Nora Beth Dorsey 

 Special Master

 

 

3

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

notice renouncing the right to seek review.