Court Opinion

ID: 866457
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-05-02 18:02:09.541896+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:16:02.963963
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                      OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                              No. 10-748V
                                          Filed: April 11, 2013

****************************
ERIN FLEMING,              *
                           *
              Petitioner,  *                                        Attorney Fees and Costs
v.                         *
                           *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
              Respondent.  *
****************************

Richard H. Moeller, Esq., Berenstein, Moore, et al., Sioux City, IA, for petitioner.
Chrysovalantis Kefalas, Esq., U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Vowell, Special Master:

        In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued
a decision on February 21, 2013, that awarded compensation pursuant to the parties’
joint stipulation. On April 10, 2013, the parties filed a stipulation for attorney fees and
costs. The stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount petitioner
is requesting. Additionally, pursuant to General Order #9, the stipulation notes that
petitioner incurred $1,472.34 in litigation costs.

      I find 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

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, 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)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and
move to delete medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted
invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will
delete such material from public access.
2
 The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq.
(2006).

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reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award the total $36,487.023 as
follows:

               a lump sum of $35,014.68 in the form of a check payable jointly to
                petitioner, Erin Fleming, and petitioner’s counsel of record, Richard
                H. Moeller, for petitioner’s attorney fees and costs, and

               a lump sum of $1,472.34 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
                Erin Fleming, for her personal litigation costs.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                         s/ Denise K. Vowell
                                         Denise K. Vowell
                                         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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 924
F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).
4
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).

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