Court Opinion

ID: 3202239
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-10 20:03:03.134189+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:18:12.980826
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1053V
                                      Filed: March 9, 2016
                                          Unpublished

****************************
SHIELA SEGER,                             *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *
              v.                          *
                                          *      Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On September 21, 2015, Shiela Seger (“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
suffered a shoulder injury as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on
October 27, 2014. On December 30, 2015, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on the respondent’s proffer.

      On February 16, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”). Petitioner requests attorney and

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
paralegal fees in the amount of $12,742.00 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of
$1,093.52 for a total amount of $13,835.52. Id. at ¶¶ 1-3. In accordance with General
Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket
expenses. Id. at ¶ 4. Respondent reviewed the invoice for fees and costs and has no
objection to petitioner’s request. Id. at ¶ 7.

        The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the
lack of opposition from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s application
for attorneys’ fees and costs. 3

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $13,835.52 4 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Paul R. Brazil.

        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 The undersigned is granting petitioner’s motion based on the reasonableness of the overall amount
sought for attorneys’ fees and costs given the circumstances in this case. This decision should not be
interpreted as an acceptance of the reasonableness of either the hourly rate or amount of hours billed in
this case. In other cases, the undersigned may reduce either the hourly rate requested or the amount of
hours billed.
4 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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 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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