Court Opinion

ID: 4018497
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-25 12:02:26.832528+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:08:02.525751
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 15-0845V
                                      Filed: June 9, 2016
                                          Unpublished
*********************************
GLORIA KEYES,                                     *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On August 7, 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 as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
November 24, 2014, she suffered tendonitis and disorders of bursae and tendons in her
left shoulder. On May 11, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner, based on the respondent’s proffer, for a shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). (ECF No. 26).

       On May 25, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 31). Petitioner requested attorneys’ fees in the amount of $13,922.00 and
attorneys’ costs in the amount of $739.32 for a total amount of $14,661.32. Id. at 2. In

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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

2National 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).
accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represented that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Id.

       On June 8, 2016, petitioner filed an amended application for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF. No. 33). Petitioner reduced the amount requested to $14,000.00, stating
that respondent had advised that she would not object to such amount in this case. Id.

        On that same date, respondent filed a response confirming that she does not
object to the amended request, as it is not an unreasonable amount to have been
incurred for proceedings in this case to date.” (ECF No. 34). She added, however, that
the “lack of objection to the amount sought in this case should not be construed as
admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours
billed, or the other litigation related costs.” Id.

       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 $14,000.00 3 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Paul R. Brazil.

        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, § 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).

4 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.

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