Court Opinion

ID: 4198437
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-23 20:03:46.162203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:39:30.290389
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                     OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          Filed: July 24, 2017

* * * * * *                 *   *    *    *   *    * *
MARY PICANCO,                                        *
                                                     *
                  Petitioner,                        *                 UNPUBLISHED
                                                     *
v.                                                   *                 Special Master Gowen
                                                     *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                  *                 No. 14-1245V
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                  *                 Stipulation; Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
                                                     *
                  Respondent.                        *
                                                     *
*    * * *        *    *    *   *    *    *   *    * *

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                           DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

        On December 31, 2014, Mary Picanco (“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 she suffered pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
(“PLEVA”). On March 28, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to
petitioner based on the parties’ joint stipulation. (ECF No. 50).

        On July 6, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 55).
Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $26,551.70 and costs in the amount of
$3,520.34. Id. at 1. Additionally, in compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed
statement indicating that petitioner incurred $118.65 in out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, the total
amount requested is $30,190.69.

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it
on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002, see 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012). The court’s website is at http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/aggregator/sources/7. Before
the decision is posted on the court’s website, each party has 14 days to file a motion requesting redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is
privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute
a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). “An objecting party must provide the court with a
proposed redacted version of the decision.” Id. If neither party files a motion for redaction within 14 days, the
decision will be posted on the court’s website. Id.
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).
        On July 24, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No. 57).
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 [Special Master] exercise [his] discretion and determine a reasonable award
for attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3. Petitioner has filed no reply. This matter is now ripe for
review.

       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. 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-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 $30,190.693 as follows:

                 A lump sum of $30,072.04, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees
                  and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
                  petitioner’s counsel, Ronald C. Homer; and

                 A lump sum of $118.65, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s costs,
                  in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                      s/Thomas L. Gowen
                                                      Thomas L. Gowen
                                                      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.

                                                          2