Court Opinion

ID: 3006167
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-30 20:02:17.684273+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:03:17.156001
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                              No. 15-141V
                                       Filed: September 2, 2015
                                              Unpublished
*********************************
BRIDGETTE WILEY,                                   *
                                                   *
                         Petitioner,               *
                 v.                                *
                                                   *       Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                            *
HUMAN SERVICES,                                    *
                                                   *
                         Respondent.               *
                                 *
*********************************
Jeffrey S. Pop, Esq., Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.
Christine M. Becer, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Vowell, Special Master:

        On February 11, 2015, Bridgette Wiley 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 alleges that she suffered an adverse reaction to
the influenza vaccine she received on November 21, 2012 resulting in severe pain and
several surgeries. Petition, ¶¶ 4, 39. On July 23, 2015, I issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on the respondent’s proffer.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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 E-
Government 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).
       On September 2, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Regarding Final
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an
award of $13,330.19 for attorney’s fees and costs. 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 $13,330.193 as a lump sum in the form of a
check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Jeffrey S. Pop.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                s/Denise K. Vowell
                                                Denise K. Vowell
                                                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).

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