Court Opinion

ID: 2824830
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-11 05:28:00.982048+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:34:14.683326
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                            No. 06-671V
                                        Filed: July 16, 2015

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                                UNPUBLISHED
MELISSA ATWOOD, personal              *
representative of the Estate of AIDEN *                        Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
DRAKOSE EXAVIER FOLLETT,              *
                                      *
               Petitioner,            *                        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
                                      *                        Reasonable Amount Requested
v.                                    *                        to which Respondent Does Not
                                      *                        Object.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   *
                                      *
               Respondent.            *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Robert T. Moxley, Robert T. Moxley, P.C., Cheyenne, WY, for Petitioner.
Michael Milmoe, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.

                                            DECISION1

       On September 25, 2006, Melissa and Paul Follett2 filed a petition on behalf their
deceased son, Aiden Follett, pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.3

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, 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)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2
  Although Melissa and Paul Follett were initially named as Petitioners, this case’s caption was
later amended to reflect Melissa Atwood as the sole Petitioner on behalf of her son, Aiden
Follett. See Order dated March 13, 2014.
3
 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,

                                                  1
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). The Folletts alleged that Aiden died as a result of the
administration of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (“DTaP”), Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
(“HiB”), Pneumococcal conjugate, and Polio vaccines on September 24, 2004. On November
26, 2014, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to Melissa Atwood
(“Petitioner”).

       On July 15, 2015, Respondent filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’ Fees
and Costs. Pursuant to their Stipulation, the parties have agreed to an award of $31,142.00 in
attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with General Order Number 9, Petitioner represents that
she has not incurred any costs in pursuit of her claim.

       The undersigned finds 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, the undersigned hereby awards the amount of $31,142.00, in the
form of a check made payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Robert T.
Moxley.

         In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.4

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                                  /s/ Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman
                                                                  Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman
                                                                  Special Master

42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
        4
          Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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