Court Opinion

ID: 2736564
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-24 20:02:07.127291+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:28.291168
License: Public Domain

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

******************** *
JAMES KING,              *
                         *                           No. 13-962V
             Petitioner, *                           Special Master Christian J. Moran
                         *
v.                       *                           Filed: August 29, 2014
                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *                           Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                           in the amount to which
                         *                           respondent does not object.
             Respondent. *
******************** *

William E. Cochran , Jr., Black, McLaren, et al., Memphis, TN, for petitioner;
Darryl R. Wishard, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1

       On August 22, 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 his
application to request $21,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object.
The Court awards this amount.

       On December 6, 2013, James King filed a petition for compensation alleging
that the influenza vaccine, which he received on October 14, 2012, caused him to
suffer from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) in his
left shoulder. Petitioner received compensation based upon respondent’s proffer.

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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.
Decision, issued June 30, 2014. Because petitioner received compensation, he is
entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

       Petitioner seeks a total of $21,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for his
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that he 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 $21,000.00 in the form of a check made payable to
        petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, William E. Cochran of the law firm
        Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, 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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