Court Opinion

ID: 4230466
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-20 13:01:58.262739+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:32.079700
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-459V
                                      Filed: May 26, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
SANDRA E. WILLIAMS, Trustee of the *
Williams Family Trust, on behalf of her *
Deceased husband                        *
RICHARD WILLIAMS,                       *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *
                                        *
v.                                      *
                                        *                 Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *                 Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *
                                        *
                    Respondent.         *
                                                  *
****************************
Andrew Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
Colleen Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On April 11, 2016, Sandra Williams, trustee on behalf of the Williams Family
Trust, on behalf of her deceased husband Richard Williams (“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 alleges that Mr. Williams suffered

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.
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 (2012).
from Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he
received on October 7, 2014. Petition at ¶¶ 1-11. On April 6, 2017, petitioner moved for
a decision dismissing the petition, acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to
demonstrate entitlement to compensation. (ECF No. 26). On April 12, 2017, the
undersigned issued a decision dismissing the claim based on petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 28). Judgment entered on April 13, 2017. (ECF No. 31.)

       On April 13, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 29). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $14,228.00 and attorneys’
costs in the amount of $5,111.91 for a total amount of $19,339.91. Id. at 1. In
accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

        On April 19, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No.
33). In his response, respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine
Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a
petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds,
however, that he “is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees
and costs are met in this case.” Id. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that
the Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for
attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3.

       Under the Vaccine Act, an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs is
mandatory where a petitioner is found entitled to compensation. § 15(e)(1). However,
where the petitioner is unsuccessful, the special master must first determine whether
the petition was brought in good faith and the claim had a reasonable basis, before
awarding attorneys’ fees and costs. Id. In this case entitlement was denied, so an
award of attorneys’ fees and costs is contingent on the undersigned finding good faith
and reasonable basis.

       The undersigned has reviewed the petition, medical records, and other evidence
submitted in this case and finds that petitioner brought the petition in good faith, and
that there was a reasonable basis for the claim. Further, once petitioner determined
that she would be unable to prove entitlement to compensation, she promptly moved to
dismiss the claim. In light of the foregoing, the undersigned finds that petitioner should
receive an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

      The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s
request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the
undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to an
unsuccessful litigant when the special master determines that the petition was brought
in good faith and that the claim had a reasonable basis. § 15(e). The undersigned has

                                            2
done so herein. Therefore, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’
fees and costs.

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $19,339.913 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/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, § 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).

4
  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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