Court Opinion

ID: 2748378
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-05 21:01:36.591862+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:36:02.586696
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************** *
SHERRIE A. RASMUSSEN,     *
                          *
              Petitioner, *                          No. 13-142V
                          *                          Special Master Christian J. Moran
                          *
v.                        *                          Filed: October 10, 2014
                          *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH       *                          Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,       *                          in the amount to which
                          *                          respondent does not object.
              Respondent. *
******************** *

Diana S. Sedar, Maglio, Christopher, & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner;
Tara J. Kilfoyle, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS 1

       On October 10, 2014, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
application to request $ 22,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object.
The Court awards this amount.

     On February 26, 2013, Sherrie A. Rasmussen filed a petition for
compensation alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on
September 5, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).

       1
          The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision,
filed Oct. 10, 2014. Because petitioner received compensation, she is entitled to an
award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

       Petitioner seeks a total of $22,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that she has not incurred in out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this
claim. Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees
and costs.

      After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:

      a. A lump sum of $22,000.00 in the form of a check made payable to
         petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Diana S.Sedar, for attorneys’
         fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
         15(e).

      The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

     Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Christina Gervasi, at (202)
357-6521.

      IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                              s/Christian J. Moran
                                              Christian J. Moran
                                              Special Master