Court Opinion

ID: 4122830
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-02-02 21:02:12.724122+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:24.783569
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-0366V
                                    Filed: October 14, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
SHELLEY NORRIS,                                   *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Alison Haskins, Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA (FL), Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Alexis Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On March 21, 2016, 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 alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury that was caused-
in-fact by her October 13, 2014 influenza vaccination. Petition at 1. On August 9, 2016,
the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on
respondent’s proffer to which petitioner agreed. (ECF No. 20).

       On September 23, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
(ECF No. 24). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $16,617.10 and
attorneys’ costs in the amount of $1,000.78 for a total amount of $17,617.88. Id. at ¶¶
2-3, 9. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.3 See General Order #9
Statement, filed as Exhibit 15, Attached to Petitioner’s Motion. On September 9, 2016,
respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No. 25).

        In her response, 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. Respondent further “asserts that a reasonable
amount for fees and costs in the present case would fall between $12,000.00 to
$14,000.00” but provides little basis or explanation for how she arrived at this proposed
range. Id. at 3.

        On October 13, 2016, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 26). Petitioner argues
that “Respondent incorrectly claims that she has no part in Petitioner’s request for
compensation under section 15(e) of the Vaccine Act.” Id. at 1. She further argues that
“Respondent’s position . . . puts the Court in the problematic position of serving as
inquisitor as well as the finder of fact . . . [and] can deny petitioners the opportunity to
address specific issues with the requested fees and costs.” Id. at 2. Petitioner
maintains the proposed fee range in respondent’s response is not supported by the
Vaccine Act and “the basis for Respondent’s range is not reasonably apparent.” Id. at
3. Claiming the fees and costs determination must be made on a case by case basis,
petitioner asserts she has established the amount of fees and costs requested in this
case are appropriate. Id. at 5-8.

      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 $17,617.884 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Alison Haskins. Per petitioner’s request, the award for attorney’s fees and costs shall

3 Additionally, in accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. See Motion at ¶ 6.

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).

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be forwarded to Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota
Florida 34236, the address of record for petitioner’s counsel.

        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

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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