Court Opinion

ID: 4243688
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-09 13:04:03.484449+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:23.491038
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-0086V
                                   Filed: September 20, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
PATRICIA WILSON,                                  *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Scott William Rooney, Nemes, Rooney P.C., Farmington Hills, MI, for petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On January 15, 2016, Patricia Wilson (“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 she suffered an injury
to her left shoulder as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October
10, 2013. On August 31, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ joint stipulation. (ECF No. 57).

       On June 20, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 53). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $7,069.50, attorneys’ costs
in the amount of $1,589.05, and petitioner’s out-of-pocket costs in the amount of

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.
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 (2012).
$340.54, for a total amount of $8,999.09. Id. at 2. In accordance with General Order
#9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred $340.54, in out-of-pocket
expenses.

         On June 30, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No.
54). Respondent states he does not object to the overall amount sought by petitioner
as it is not an unreasonable amount to have been incurred for proceedings in this case
to date. Respondent states that his lack of objection to the amount sought in this case
should not be construed as an admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates
requested, the number of hours billed, or the other litigation related costs.

      The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s
request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the
undersigned finds 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 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 $8,999.09,3 as follows:

                A lump sum of $8,658.55, representing reimbursement for attorneys’
                 fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
                 and petitioner’s counsel, Nemes Rooney, P.C.; and

                A lump sum of $340.54, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s
                 costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Patricia Wilson.

        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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