Court Opinion

ID: 4036535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-23 12:02:39.726324+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:53.233509
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1502V
                                      Filed: June 10, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
DORIS LEVITZKI,                                   *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Danielle Strait, Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA (DC), Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Debra Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On December 11, 2015, Doris Levitzki (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleged that she
suffered left shoulder pain “causally related to an adverse reaction” after receiving an
influenza vaccination on September 17, 2015. Petition at ¶¶ 3-4, 10. On March 17,
2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on
respondent’s proffer to which petitioner agreed. (ECF No. 18).

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
       On June 9, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF No. 23).3 Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of
$6,197.80 for work performed by Danielle Strait and the law firm of Maglio, Christopher
& Toale, PA and attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $2,015.50 for work
performed by petitioner’s former counsel and the law firm of Britcher & Leone, LLC
(Britcher, Leone & Roth, LLC when petitioner was represented by the firm) for a total
amount of $8,213.30. Id. at ¶¶ 3, 6. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s
counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at ¶ 4.
Moreover, in compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement
indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Declaration, filed June 9, 2016
(ECF No. 24).

       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 $8,213.304 as follows:

        1. A lump sum in the amount of $6,197.80 in the form of a check made
           payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel, Danielle A. Strait, Esq.,
           and
        2. A lump sum in the amount of $2,015.50 in the form of a check made
           payable to petitioner and petitioner’s former counsel, Britcher & Leone,
           LLC

Petitioner “requests that the award for attorney’s fees and costs be forwarded to Maglio
Christopher & Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236.” Motion
at ¶ 7 (ECF No. 23).

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.5

3Additionally, in the motion, petitioner states that respondent has no objection to petitioner’s request. Id.
at ¶ 5.

4This 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).

5 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.

                                                      2
IT IS SO ORDERED.

                        s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Chief Special Master

                    3