Court Opinion

ID: 2807170
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-11 05:03:06.002132+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:26:21.890709
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                                                    No. 14-99V
                                                                Filed: May 20, 2015
                                                               (Not to be published)

*************************
SUZANNE HACKETT,                         *
                                         *
                   Petitioner,           *
       v.                                *     Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Stipulation
                                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                      *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                      *
                                         *
                   Respondent.           *
****************************
Diana Stadelnikas Sedar, Esq., Maglio, Christopher and Toale, Pa (FL) for petitioner.
Alexis Babcock, Esq., U.S. Dep’t. of Justice, Washington, DC, 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 April 6, 2015, awarding compensation pursuant to the parties’ stipulation
filed that same day. On May 20, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact concerning
attorneys’ fees and costs. Pursuant to General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel also
represented that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses in this matter.

     The parties’ stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amended
amount of $15,750.00 that petitioner is requesting for attorneys’ fees and costs.

              I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
                                                            
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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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).
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:

                            a lump sum of $15,750.00 in the form of a check payable jointly to
                             petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Diana L. Stadelnikas Sedar, Esq.,
                             for petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs.

              The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.3

              IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                               s/ Thomas L. Gowen
                                                               Thomas L. Gowen
                                                               Special Master

                                                            
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
3

See Vaccine Rule 11(a).