Court Opinion

ID: 2787511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-03-19 16:02:08.689428+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:28:42.707356
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

***************** ***
LINDA G. KIMBELL,                     *    No. 13-936V
                                      *    Special Master Christian J. Moran
                  Petitioner,         *
v.                                    *    Filed: February 23, 2015
                                      *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   *    Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   *    in the amount to which
                                      *    respondent does not object.
                  Respondent.         *
********************
Susan Cremer, The Law Offices of Michael Lawson Neff, P.C., Atlanta, GA, for
Petitioner;
Lara Englund, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS 1

       On February 20, 2015, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
application to request $26,500.00, an amount to which respondent does not object.
The Court awards this amount.

       On November 26, 2013, Linda Kimbell filed a petition for compensation
alleging that the meningococcal vaccine, which she received on July 19, 2011,
caused her to develop transverse myelitis. Petitioner received compensation based
upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed Nov. 21, 2014. Because petitioner
received compensation, she is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
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          The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
       Petitioner seeks a total of $25,750.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that she incurred $750.00 in out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this
claim. Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees
and costs.

      After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:

      a. A lump sum of $25,750.00, in the form of a check made payable to
         petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Linda Kimbell, for attorneys’
         fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
         15(e).

      b. A lump sum of $750.00, payable to petitioner, Linda Kimbell, for
         costs she incurred in pursuit of her petition.

      The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

     Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Christina Gervasi, at (202)
357-6521.

      IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                              s/ Christian J. Moran
                                              Christian J. Moran
                                              Special Master

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