Court Opinion

ID: 4122995
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-02-03 13:03:16.288403+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:18.031983
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 14-1235V
                                    Filed: October 19, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
VINCENT J. CHRISTIANCY,                           *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Matthew N. Menzer, Menzer Law Firm, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On December 24, 2014, Vincent J. Christiancy (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C.
§300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that he suffered a shoulder
injury which was caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 16,
2013. Petition at 1-2, 6. On May 3, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 35).

      On August 26, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 40). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $36,400.00, and attorneys’

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with
the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to
identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2
 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
costs in the amount of $4,998.24, for a total amount of $41,398.24. Id. at 4, 6-7. In
compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating
petitioner incurred $1,951.44, in out-of-pocket expenses.

        On September 9, 2016, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 43). Respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13
contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a petitioner for an
award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that she “is
satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in
this case.” Id. at 2. Additionally, she “asserts that a reasonable amount for fees and
costs in the present case would fall between $20,000.00, to $28,000.00,” but provides
no basis or explanation for how she arrived at this proposed range other than stating
that the range was based on “a survey of fee awards in similar cases and her
experience litigating Vaccine Act claims.” Id. at 3.

        On September 19, 2016, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 44). Petitioner
detailed the factors that made this case “more complex and time consuming than other
‘similar’ SIRVA cases.” Id. at 2. Petitioner also noted that the final settlement amount is
“believed to be substantially greater than the typical SIRVA case.” Id. at 4. Regarding
the costs in this case, petitioner explained that a large portion of the costs incurred were
paid to petitioner’s vocation and rehabilitation expert who helped to establish projected
future wage loss and an alternative vocation path for petitioner. Id. at 4-5.

      The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s
request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the
undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned
GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

        Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $43,349.68,3 as follows:

                A lump sum of $41,398.24, representing reimbursement for
                 attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to
                 petitioner and petitioner’s counsel, Matthew N. Menzer; and

                A lump sum of $1,951.44, representing reimbursement for
                 petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
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, § 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 of Health & Human Servs.,
924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).

                                                    2
        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                          Chief Special Master

4
  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