Court Opinion

ID: 4188748
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-07-24 16:02:44.52276+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:56:11.442457
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 16-88V
                                      Filed: June 22, 2017
                                    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

******************************* *
MARIA CORULLA, as the parent and natural *
guardian of N.J., a minor,               *
                                         *
                     Petitioner,         *
      v.                                 *
                                         *                                 Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                      *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                      *
                                         *
                     Respondent.         *
                                                           *
******************************* *

                       DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS

Hastings, Special Master:

       On January 15, 2016, Maria Corulla (“Petitioner”) filed a petition on behalf of her
minor child, N.J., for compensation (“petition”) under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,1 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner
alleged that N.J. suffered vaccine-induced encephalopathy and/or brain damage due to
Meales-Mumps-Rubella (“MMR”), Varivax, and Fluzone vaccinations that were
administered on January 16, 2013, followed by a second Fluzone vaccination on
February 19, 2013. (Pet., p. 2). On November 22, 2016, Petitioner gave notice of her
voluntary dismissal of the petition pursuant to Vaccine Rule 21(a). (ECF No. 30).

       On May 19, 2017, Petitioner’s counsel filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs
(“motion”). (ECF No. 34). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs in the total
amount of $14,602.19. (Id. at 4). In accordance with General Order #9, Petitioner’s
counsel represents that Petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (Id. at 6). On
June 5, 2017, Respondent filed a response to Petitioner’s motion (“response”). (ECF
No. 35).

1National 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).
        In his response, Respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine
Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a
petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” (ECF No. 35, p. 1). Respondent
adds, however, that he “is not satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of
attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case, in that there does not appear to be
sufficient evidence of a reasonable basis for this claim.” (Id. at 2). Respondent
“respectfully recommends that the Special Master exercise his discretion and determine
a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees and costs.” (Id. at 3).

        On June 8, 2017, Petitioner filed a reply to Respondent’s response to Petitioner’s
motion. (ECF No. 36). Petitioner claims that “[r]easonable basis is supported by the
short time on the statute of limitations, the representations of Ms. Corulla, the selected
medical records we received prior to filing, the difficulty of obtaining the key Staten
Island University Hospital records, and the quick resolution of this case after [evidence
was collected].” (Id. at 1-2).

       I have reviewed the file, and given the overall circumstances, I find that the case
was filed in good faith, and with a “reasonable basis,” for the reasons set forth in
Petitioner’s reply. Further, I have reviewed the billing records submitted with
Petitioner’s request. Based upon my experience, the request appears reasonable, and I
find no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of Petitioner’s request, I GRANT Petitioner’s
motion for attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $14,602.19.

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $14,602.192 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel
Mark T. Sadaka, Esq.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                          /s/ George L. Hastings, Jr.
                                                            George L. Hastings, Jr.
                                                            Special Master

2This 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).

3 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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