Court Opinion

ID: 4243978
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-09 21:04:31.610715+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:27:25.805759
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-1401V
                                    Filed: October 16, 2017
                                          Unpublished

    KAREN AEBIG,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Mallori B. Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On October 26, 2016, Karen Aebig (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered injuries to
her right shoulder as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on October 26,
2013. Petition at 1. On July 20, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision denying
petitioner’s claim for compensation and dismissing the case for insufficient proof. (ECF
No. 22). Judgment entered on August 22, 2017. (ECF No. 23).

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

2National 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).
        On September 28, 2017, petitioner filed a motion requesting $11,260.00 in
attorneys’ fees and $400.00 in attorneys’ costs for a total amount of $11,660.00. Motion
for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) at ¶¶ 1-4 (ECF No. 24). Petitioner incurred no
out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at ¶ 4.

I.     Relevant Procedural History

      Petitioner requests an award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of
$11,660.00. The motion included contemporaneously created time and expense
sheets, and supporting information for her counsel’s requested hourly rates. See
Motion at ¶¶ 1-6; Exhibit A.

        On October 3, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 25.) 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 he “is
satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in
this case.” Id. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special
Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees
and costs.” Id. at 3. No reply was filed.

II.    Discussion

       Under the Vaccine Act, an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs is
mandatory where a petitioner is found entitled to compensation. § 15(e)(1). However,
where the petitioner is unsuccessful, the special master must first determine whether
the petition was brought in good faith and the claim had a reasonable basis, before
awarding attorneys’ fees and costs. Id. In this case entitlement was denied, so an
award of attorneys’ fees and costs is contingent on the undersigned finding good faith
and reasonable basis.

       The undersigned has reviewed the petition, medical records, and other evidence
submitted in this case and finds that petitioner brought her petition in good faith, and
that there was a reasonable basis for her claim. Further, once petitioner determined
that she would be unable to prove entitlement to compensation, she promptly moved to
dismiss her claim. In light of the foregoing, the undersigned finds that petitioner should
receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

      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.

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III.            Conclusion

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to an
unsuccessful litigant when the special master determines that the petition was brought
in good faith and that the claim had a reasonable basis. § 15(e). The undersigned has
done so herein. Therefore, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’
fees and costs.

     Accordingly, the undersigned awards a total of $11,660.00, 3 representing
reimbursement for all attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check jointly
payable to petitioner and her counsel, Amy A. Senerth of Muller Brazil, LLP.

        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

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).

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.

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