In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 14-546V 

(Not to be Published) 

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

 * 

VERONICA ETTEL, * 

 * Filed: July 6, 2015 

 Petitioner, * 

 * 

 v. * Decision by Stipulation; Attorney’s 

 * Fees and Costs 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

 * 

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

Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner. 

Justine E. Walters, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. 

ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS DECISION1

On June 26, 2014, Veronica Ettel filed a petition seeking compensation under the National 

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2

 ECF No. 1. Thereafter, on May 22, 2015, the parties filed 

a stipulation settling the case and detailing the amount to be awarded to Petitioner. ECF No. 20. I 

subsequently issued a decision finding the parties’ stipulation to be reasonable and granting 

Petitioner an award as outlined in the stipulation. ECF No. 21. 

 

1

 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my actions in this case, I will post it 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 (Dec. 17, 2002) (current version at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2014)). As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the published decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential 

information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen 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 whole decision will be available to 

the public. Id. 

2

 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act 

of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 through 34 (2012)) 

[hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”]. Individual sections references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act. 
2 

On July 6, 2015, the parties filed another stipulation, this time regarding attorney’s fees 

and costs. ECF No. 25. Petitioner requests reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs in the 

amount of $28,316.62. Id. This amount represents a sum to which Respondent does not object. Id. 

In addition, and in compliance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner’s counsel represents that 

Petitioner did not personally incurred any expenses in litigating this case. Id. 

I approve the requested amount for attorney’s fees and costs as reasonable. Accordingly, 

an award of $28,316.62 should be made in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and 

Petitioner’s counsel, Alison H. Haskins, Esq. Payment of this amounts represents all attorney’s 

fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). 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/ Brian H. Corcoran

 Brian H. Corcoran 

 Special Master 

 

3

 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately) 

a notice renouncing their right to seek review.