Court Opinion

ID: 3167857
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-07 17:01:55.521335+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:03:12.878096
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*************************
WALLACE ARLEN CROTCHETT, *
                         *                               No. 13-673V
             Petitioner, *                               Special Master Christian J. Moran
                         *
v.                       *                               Filed: December 4, 2015
                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *                               Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                               in the amount to which respondent
                         *                               does not object.
             Respondent. *
*************************

Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL, for
Petitioner;
Darryl Wishard, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1

       On November 24, 2015, petitioner filed a stipulation of fact regarding final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent for review.
Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections to certain
items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended his application to
request $34,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object. The Court
awards this amount.

     On September 12, 2013, Wallace Arlen Crotchett filed a petition for
compensation alleging that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which he received on

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          The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this ruling on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the
party has 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
September 17, 2010, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
and/or Varicella Zoster reactivation. Petitioner received compensation based upon
the parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed November 30, 2015. Because petitioner
received compensation, he is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

     Petitioner seeks a total of $34,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs. In
compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner has incurred no out-of-pocket
expenses in the proceedings on the petition. Respondent has no objection to the
amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.

        After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:

        A lump sum of $34,000.00 in the form of a check made payable to
        petitioner and the Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law,
        for attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs available under 42
        U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

      The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

        Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Dan Hoffman, at (202) 357-
6360.

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                              s/Christian J. Moran
                                              Christian J. Moran
                                              Special Master

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