Court Opinion

ID: 4022135
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-08-05 12:06:20.031115+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:20.509158
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1089V
                                      Filed: June 20, 2016
                                          Unpublished
*********************************
MICHELLE SCHMIDT,                                 *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Amber Wilson, Maglio, Christopher and Toale, PA (DC), Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Traci Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On September 29, 2015, 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 a shoulder injury caused in fact by
her October 24, 2014 influenza vaccination. On January 22, 2016, the undersigned
issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the respondent’s
proffer. (ECF No. 18).

       On June 17, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF No. 24). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of
$13,683.11. Id. at 1. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel
represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses in pursuit of the claim. Id.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

2National 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).
       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition
from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs.

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $13,683.11 3 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Amber Wilson. 4

        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

3This 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).

4Petitioner requests that the award for attorneys’ fees and costs be forwarded to Maglio Christopher &
Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota, FL 34236.

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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