Court Opinion

ID: 4507239
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-02-13 17:02:04.167328+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:46:13.040756
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 18-0768V
                                        (not to be published)

    DAYANE PENDERIS,
                                                                Chief Special Master Corcoran
                         Petitioner,
    v.                                                          Filed: January 10, 2020

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Special Processing Unit                 (SPU);
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Attorney’s Fees and Costs

                         Respondent.

Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.

Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                       DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1

      On May 31, 2018, Dayane Penderis (“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 she suffered Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
November 14, 2016. (Petition at 1-3). On September 17, 2019, a decision was issued
awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 40).

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required 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). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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).
       Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated December
23, 2019, (ECF No. 45), requesting a total award of $26,957.71 (representing $26,071.70
in fees and $886.01 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9 Petitioner filed a
signed statement indicating that Petitioner has incurred out-of-pocket expenses in the
amount of $45.00. (ECF No. 45-3). Respondent did not file a response to Petitioner’s
motion.

       I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my
experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested
hours or rates.

       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. §
15(e). Accordingly, petitioner is awarded the total amount of $27,002.71 3 as
follows:

            •    A lump sum of $26,957.71, representing reimbursement for
                 attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to
                 Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, and

            •    A lump sum of $45.00, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s
                 costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

            •    Petitioner requests checks be forwarded to Maglio Christopher &
                 Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236.

      In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of
the Court), the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                         s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                                         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), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
                                                    2