Court Opinion

ID: 4092379
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-10-25 12:02:18.477213+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:08:42.420220
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1067V
                                    Filed: September 29, 2016
                                        Not for Publication

*************************************
GARY FRENCH, as Personal                     *
Representative of the Estate of MILTON       *
FRENCH,                                      *
                                             *                 Attorneys’ fees and costs decision;
               Petitioner,                   *                 respondent does not object
 v.                                          *
                                             *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                          *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                          *
                                             *
                       Respondent.           *
                                             *
*************************************
Anne C. Toale, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Jennifer L. Reynaud, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

                DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

       On September 25, 2015, petitioner filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act”) alleging that Milton French
developed Guillain-Barré syndrome and died as a result of his receipt of influenza vaccine on
October 2, 2014. On June 9, 2016, the undersigned issued a damages decision in this case
pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, awarding petitioner $315,000.00 in compensation.

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this
case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal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). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that
all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets
or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar
information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a
decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact such information prior to the
document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within
the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such material from public access.
         On September 29, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs. Petitioner requests $9,256.40 in attorneys’ fees and $738.09 in attorneys’ costs. In
accordance with General Order #9, petitioner states he has incurred costs in the amount of
$4,754.93 related to the litigation of the above-captioned case. Therefore, petitioner requests a
total reimbursement of $14,749.42. Petitioner states that “[r]espondent does not object to the
overall amount sought” but that respondent’s lack of objection “should not be construed as an
admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or
the other litigation related costs.” Fee App. at 2.

       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. §
300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition, the
undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s application for attorneys’ fees and costs.

        Accordingly, the undersigned awards:

        a. $9,994.49, representing attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a
           check made payable jointly to petitioner and Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA in the
           amount of $9,994.49. The check should be forwarded to Maglio Christopher & Toale,
           PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota, Florida 34236; and

        b. $4,754.93, representing petitioner’s costs. The award shall be in the form of a check
           for $4,754.93 made payable to petitioner.

        In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the
court is directed to enter judgment herewith. 2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 29, 2016                                                   s/ Laura D. Millman
                                                                               Laura D. Millman
                                                                                Special Master

2
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
                                                    2