Court Opinion

ID: 4164133
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-27 20:06:39.681901+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:23:53.069289
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 15-1211V
                                        Filed: January 5, 2017
                                            UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
DIANN ALEXANDER,                                     *
                                                     *
                           Petitioner,               *
v.                                                   *
                                                     *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                  *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                  *
                                                     *
                           Respondent.               *
                                                     *
****************************
Randall G. Knutson, Knutson and Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner.
Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                         DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On October 16, 2015, Diann Alexander (“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, including tendinosis, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on
October 24, 2012. On November 22, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 35).

       On January 4, 2017, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF No. 39).3 Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
3
    In the motion, petitioner states that respondent has no objection to petitioner’s request.
$15,000.00. Id. at 1. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed
statement indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

       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 $15,000.00,4 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Randall Knutson.

        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

4
 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).

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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