Court Opinion

ID: 3210379
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-08 16:02:21.863926+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:59:29.728392
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                     OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 11-477V

*************************
                                     *
CASEY COMPTON and                    *
JEFFREY COMPTON, as Parents/Next     *
Friends and Legal Representatives of *                           Filed: April 7, 2016
A.C., their minor daughter,          *
                                     *
                      Petitioners,   *                           Decision; Attorney’s Fees
                                     *                           and Costs.
               v.                    *
                                     *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              *
HUMAN SERVICES,                      *
                                     *
                      Respondent.    *
                                     *
*************************

Ronald W. Cox, McCarthy Wilson, Rockville, MD, for Petitioners.

Jennifer L. Reynaud, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                            ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS DECISION1

        On July 22, 2011, Casey and Jeffrey Compton filed a petition, as parents/next friends and
legal representatives of A.C., their minor daughter, seeking compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program”).2 Thereafter, on October 1, 2015, the
parties filed a stipulation settling the case and detailing the amount to be awarded to Petitioners. I

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my actions in this case, I will post it on the United States
Court of Federal Claims website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002) (current version at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2014)). As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the published decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential
information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request 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). Otherwise, the whole decision will be available to
the public. Id.
2
 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act
of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 through 34 (2012)).
subsequently issued a decision finding the parties’ stipulation to be reasonable and granting
Petitioners an award as outlined in the stipulation.

        On March 31, 2016, Petitioners filed an unopposed application for attorney’s fees and
costs. Petitioners request reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $60,024.89.
This amount represents a sum to which Respondent does not object. In addition, and in compliance
with General Order No. 9, Petitioners’ counsel represents that Petitioners did not incur out-of-
pocket, litigation-related expenses in conjunction with this proceeding.

        I approve the requested amount for attorney’s fees and costs as reasonable. Accordingly,
an award of $60,024.89 should be made in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioners and
Petitioners’ counsel, Ronald W. Cox, Jr., Esq., for all attorney’s fees and costs. Payment of this
amount represents all attorney’s fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). In the
absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court SHALL
ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3

         IT IS SO ORDERED.
                                                                       /s/ Brian H. Corcoran
                                                                          Brian H. Corcoran
                                                                          Special Master

3
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately)
a notice renouncing their right to seek review.
                                                           2