Court Opinion

ID: 2753633
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-20 17:01:46.051378+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:44.280446
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************** *
CYNTHIA ADKINS,                      *      No. 13-295V
                                     *      Special Master Christian J. Moran
                  Petitioner,        *
                                     *      Filed: October 22, 2014
v.                                   *
                                     *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                  *      Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                  *      in the amount to which
                                     *      respondent does not object.
                  Respondent.        *
******************** *
Isaiah R. Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA., Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Claudia B. Gangi, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for
respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1

       On October 17, 2014, petitioner filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
application to request $12,831.05, an amount to which respondent does not object.
The Court awards this amount.

       On April 29, 2013, Cynthia Adkins filed a petition for compensation
alleging that the Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular-Pertussis (“DTaP”) vaccination,
which she received on April 22, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré
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          The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
syndrome (“GBS”). Following an unsuccessful search for an expert witness,
petitioner filed a stipulation of dismissal pursuant to Vaccine Rule 21(a) on July
25, 2014. An order concluding proceedings was issued on July 29, 2014.

      Even though Ms. Adkins did not receive compensation, a petitioner who
brings her petition in good faith and who has a reasonable basis for the petition
may be awarded attorneys’ fees and costs. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa–15(e)(1). Here,
counsel for petitioner gathered and filed medical records, attempted to obtain an
expert report, and moved to conclude proceedings when petitioner determined that
she was unable to locate an expert to opine on her case. Thus, because petitioner’s
counsel acted in good faith and because there was a reasonable basis for
proceeding, petitioner is eligible for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
Respondent does not contend that petitioner failed to satisfy these criteria.

       Petitioner seeks a total of $12,831.05 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that she incurred no out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this claim.
Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.

        After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:

        A lump sum of $12,831.05 in the form of a check made payable to
        petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Isaiah R. Kalinowski, for attorneys’
        fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

      The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

        Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Mary Holmes, at (202) 357-
6353.

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                              s/Christian J. Moran
                                              Christian J. Moran
                                              Special Master

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