Court Opinion

ID: 3132856
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-20 16:02:30.321396+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:53:54.058982
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 15-220V
                                     Filed: September 18, 2015
                                             Unpublished
*********************************
DOROTHY KEEGAN,                                    *
                                                   *
                         Petitioner,               *
                 v.                                *
                                                   *       Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                            *
HUMAN SERVICES,                                    *
                                                   *
                         Respondent.               *
                                 *
*********************************
Diana Stadelnikas Sedar, Esq., Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for
       petitioner.
Christine Becer, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On March 4, 2015, Dorothy Keegan 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 alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury
resulting from the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis [“Tdap”] vaccine she received
on October 11, 2013. Petition, ¶¶ 1, 9, 11. On August 27, 2015, a decision was issued
awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision 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 (codified as amended at 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 (2006).
       On September 18, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Regarding Final
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an
award of $14,324.20 for attorney’s fees and costs. In accordance with General Order
#9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses in
this case. Stipulation, ¶ 4.

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). The proposed amount is reasonable.

      Accordingly, I award the total of $14,324.203 as a lump sum in the form of a
check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Diana Stadelnikas
Sedar.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                Chief 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, 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).

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