Court Opinion

ID: 4114227
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-01-09 21:02:57.834003+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:21.663928
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 15-801V
                                   Filed: September 29, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
JENNIFER CIRILLO,                                 *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Diana Sedar, Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA (FL), Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Gordon Shemin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On July 28, 2015, Jennifer Cirillo (“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 alleged that she received a trivalent
influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 2, 2014, and thereafter suffered a shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On February 5, 2016, the undersigned
issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer to
which petitioner agreed. (ECF No. 25).

       On August 3, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 31). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $19,880.80 and attorneys’
costs in the amount of $1,118.09 for a total amount of $20,998.89. Id. at ¶ 2. In

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating she
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. See Exhibit 13, filed as an Attachment to
Petitioner’s Motion (ECF No. 31).3

         On August 19, 2016, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 34). 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 $12,000.00 to $15,000.00” but provides
little basis or explanation for how she arrived at this proposed range. Id. at 3.

        On August 29, 2016, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 35).

      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 $20,998.894 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Diana Sedar.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.5

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                           s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                           Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                           Chief Special Master
3 Additionally, in accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Petitioner’s Motion at ¶ 3.

4This 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).

5 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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