Court Opinion

ID: 4101519
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-11-23 13:02:24.579808+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:36:30.435443
License: Public Domain

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

*********************
FRANCESCA MICELI, as            *
Administratrix of the Estate of *                   No. 10-131V
MARGUERITE MICELI,              *
                                *                   Special Master Christian J. Moran
                   Petitioner,  *
                                *                   Filed: October 27, 2016
v.                              *
                                *                   Attorneys’ fees and costs; award in
AND HUMAN SERVICES,             *                   the amount to which respondent does
                                *                   not object.
                   Respondent.  *
*********************

F. John Caldwell, Jr., Maglio, Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner;
Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.

              UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1

      On September 26, 2016, petitioner moved for attorneys’ fees and costs in the
above-captioned matter. In subsequent informal discussions, respondent raised
objections to certain items. Petitioner amended her motion to request
reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $123,500.00, an
amount to which respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

                                        *      *       *

1
  The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services), 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.
       This case was filed over six years ago on March 1, 2010, when Marguerite
Miceli2 filed a petition for compensation alleging that the human papillomavirus
(“HPV”) vaccines she received on July 10, 2007, and September 14, 2007, caused
her to suffer systemic lupus erythematosus (“SLE”), Raynaud’s disease, and
fibromyalgia. Pet. at 1, 3, 5. A fact hearing was held via videoconference on
December 5, 2011, at which time additional sources of records were identified and,
over several months, obtained and filed. On September 10, 2012, Marguerite died
prompting the substitution of the current party. While the parties reviewed the
records filed to date to draft proposed findings of fact, they determined additional
records were needed and over the next year this task was undertaken.

       On March 12, 2015, the undersigned issued Findings of Facts and after
additional records were filed, petitioner moved for a decision on January 22, 2016.
Decision, issued Mar. 12, 2015, 2015 WL 1567845. The undersigned issued a
decision denying compensation to petitioner. Decision, issued Feb. 19, 2016, 2016
WL 1178074.

                                           *       *      *

       Even though compensation was denied, a petitioner who brings her petition
in good faith and who has a reasonable basis for the petition may be awarded
attorneys’ fees and costs. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa–15(e)(1). Here, counsel for
petitioner gathered and filed medical records, a hearing was held in which the
undersigned issued findings of facts, and counsel for petitioner then then discussed
obtaining an expert report with his client. Ultimately, petitioner’s counsel moved
for a decision on the record when further investigation revealed that petitioner was
unlikely to prove her case. Thus, because petitioner’s counsel acted in good faith
and because there was a reasonable basis for proceeding, petitioner is eligible for
an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. Respondent does not contend that petitioner
failed to satisfy these criteria.

     Petitioner seeks a total of $123,500.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs. In
compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states that she advanced no
monies for reimbursable costs in pursuit of his claim.

       After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:
2
 Originally, the petitioner was Marguerite Miceli. However, while the petition was pending,
Marguerite died. After Marguerite’s death, her sister, Francesca Miceli, became the
administrator of her estate and became the petitioner. See exhibit 37 and order, filed November
8, 2012.
                                               2
       A lump sum of $123,500.00 in the form of a check made payable
       to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, F. John Caldwell, Jr., of
       Maglio, Christopher & Toale, for attorneys’ fees and other
       litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the
clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.3

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

3
 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.
                                                3