Court Opinion

ID: 2806414
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-09 05:05:44.375959+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:19:13.066176
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                              No. 15-049V
                                          Filed: May 18, 2015
                                             (Unpublished)

****************************
VIOLET WILSON,             *
                           *
               Petitioner, *
           v.              *
                           *                               Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND    *                               Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
HUMAN SERVICES,            *
                           *
               Respondent. *
                                                   *
****************************

Andrew Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
Justine Walters, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS 1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

       On January 20, 2015, Violet Wilson 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 alleged that as a result of a Tetanus, Diphtheria,
acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on July 1, 2014, she suffered a “shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration.” Petition at ¶10. On April 8, 2015, I issued a ruling on
entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On May 7, 2015, I issued a
decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on a proffer.

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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 May 15, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’
Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an award of
$15,000.00. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that
petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

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

      Accordingly, I award the total of $15,000.00 3 as a lump sum in the form of a
check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Andrew D. Downing.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                 s/Denise K. Vowell
                                                 Denise K. Vowell
                                                 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).
4
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).

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