Court Opinion

ID: 2741765
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-10 20:02:29.464352+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:55:05.696400
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                       OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 12-665V
                                     Filed: September 11, 2014
                                        (Not to be published)

*************************
JAMES MACDOUGALL Jr.,                              *
                                                   *
                         Petitioner,               *       Stipulation; Attorneys’ Fees & Costs
        v.                                         *
                                                   *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                *
                                                   *
                  Respondent.                      *
*************************
Ronald C. Homer, Esq., Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA for
petitioner.
Glenn MacLeod, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C. for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Gowen, Special Master:

      In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued
a Decision on May 14, 2014, adopting the parties’ Stipulation filed that same day. On
August 11, 2014, petitioner filed a Motion for Attorneys’ Fees & Costs. Pursuant to
General Order #9, petitioner also filed a statement detailing his costs incurred of
$458.32. Petitioner and Counsel Statement (General Order No. 9), filed August 11,
2014. Respondent requested and was granted an extension of time until September
12, 2014 to file her response to petitioner’s Motion.

       On September 10, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys’ fees and
costs. The stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount of

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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).
$30,704.00 that petitioner is requesting, including $30,245.68 to cover fees and
expenses incurred by petitioner’s counsel, plus $458.32 to cover litigation expenses
incurred personally by petitioner.

      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
reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award the total $30,704.003 as
follows:

               a lump sum of $30,245.68 in the form of a check payable jointly to
                petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Ronald C. Homer, for petitioner’s
                attorneys’ fees and costs, and

               a lump sum of $458.32 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
                James MacDougall, Jr., for his personal litigation costs.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.
                                                 s/Thomas L. Gowen
                                                 Thomas L. Gowen
                                                 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).