Court Opinion

ID: 2732279
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-11 16:03:47.283371+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:46:38.487198
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                      OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 12-426V
                                        Filed: August 21, 2014
                                        (Not to be published)

* * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HATTIE M. JEFFERIES,                                  *
                            Petitioner,               * Stipulation; Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
                                                      *
          v.                                          *
                                                      *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                   *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                   *
                            Respondent.               *
* * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Edward I. Zwilling, Esq.,Swartz Roller & Zwilling, Birmingham, AL for petitioner.
Tara Kilfoyle, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Gowen, Special Master:

        In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued
a Decision on July 22, 2014, adopting the parties’ stipulation filed on July 21, 2014. On
August 21, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys’ fees and costs. The
stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount of $15,500.00 that
petitioner is requesting. Additionally, pursuant to General Order #9, the stipulation
notes that petitioner incurred no personal litigation costs.

      I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate,
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems
reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award the total $15,500.003 in

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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), petitioner has 14 days to identify and
move to delete 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
delete such material from public access.
2
  The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq.
(2006).
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
the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel of
record, Edward I. Zwilling, for petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.
                                                 s/Thomas L. Gowen
                                                 Thomas L. Gowen
                                                 Special Master

F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).
4
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).