Court Opinion

ID: 4230470
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-20 13:02:03.101501+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:32.097539
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-0070V
                                      Filed: May 26, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
JAMIE SPIVAK, the parent and natural *
guardian of a minor child, C.C.      *
                                     *
                    Petitioner,      *
v.                                   *
                                     *                     Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                  *                     Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                  *
                                     *
                    Respondent.      *
                                                  *
****************************
Randall G. Knutson, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner.
Althea W. Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On January 13, 2016, Jamie Spivak (“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”) on behalf of her minor child, C.C. Petitioner alleges C.C. was
diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia purpura (“ITP”) which was caused-in-fact by
the measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”) vaccine C.C. received on February 5, 2013,
and the varicella vaccine C.C. received on February 28, 2013. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 4, 11.
On March 2, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to
petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. (ECF No. 28).

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
        On May 4, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No.
31). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $13,987.00 and attorneys’
costs in the amount of $897.53 for a total amount of $14,884.53. Id. at 1. The amount
requested for attorneys’ fees is based upon an hourly rate of $295 for work performed
by petitioner’s counsel, Randall Knutson, in 2015-17 and an hourly rate of $75 for
paralegal work performed in 2015-17. See Affidavits from Petitioner’s Counsel and
other Attorneys in the Area and Billing Records, filed as Attachments 1-4 to Petitioner’s
Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Pet. Motion”) (ECF Nos. 31-1 thru 31-4). In
compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating
petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. See General Order #9 Statement, filed
as Attachment 5 to Pet. Motion (ECF No. 31-5). Furthermore, petitioner’s counsel
represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Pet. Motion at 1.
Respondent filed a response on May 22, 2017 (ECF No. 32).

        In her 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 she “is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees
and costs are met in this case.” Id. at 2. Petitioner “respectfully recommends that the
Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for
attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3. By email communication on May 26, 2017,
petitioner’s counsel indicated petitioner did not intend to file a reply.

      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.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned
GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $14,884.533 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Randall G. Knutson.

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

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).

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.

                                                      2
IT IS SO ORDERED.

                        s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Chief Special Master

                    3