Court Opinion

ID: 2677004
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-06-04 12:00:46.375628+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:12:52.102229
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                      No. 13-387V
                                  Filed: May 13, 2014

* * * * * * *        *   *   *   *   *  **
DAVID TOMASO,                           *       UNPUBLISHED
                                        *
               Petitioner,              *
                                        *       Special Master Gowen
v.                                      *
                                        *       Attorney’s Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *       Reasonable Amount Requested to
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *       which Respondent Does not Object.
                                        *
               Respondent.              *
                                        *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
James E. Thompson, The Law Offices of Joseph V. Roddy, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.
Tara J. Kilfoyle, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                    ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS DECISION 1

      On June 10, 2013, David Tomaso filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Mr.
Tomaso alleged that he received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 2, 2010, 3
and that he thereafter suffered from Guillain Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) which was

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in
this case, the undersigned intends to post this decision 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, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). 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). Otherwise, the entire decision will be available to the public. Id.
2
   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, 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.
3
  Petitioner’s vaccination record reflects that the vaccination was administered on
September 8, 2010. Pet. Ex. C at 1.
                                             1
caused in fact by the vaccination. See Petition at 1-2. On May 13, 2014, a decision
awarding compensation to petitioner, based on the parties’ stipulation, was entered.

       On May 12, 2014, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Final
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to an
award to petitioner of attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $25,000.00. In
accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner has
not incurred any personal litigation costs in pursuit of this claim.

       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of the parties’ stipulation, the
undersigned GRANTS the request for approval and payment of attorney’s fees and
costs.

      Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:

          in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and James E. Thompson, of
          the Law Offices of Joseph V. Roddy, in the amount of $25,000.00.

       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/Thomas L. Gowen
                                         Thomas L. Gowen
                                         Special Master

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.
                                           2