Court Opinion

ID: 4162607
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-24 16:07:04.129567+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:46.582779
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 15-471V
                                    Filed: March 30, 2017
******************************
RONALD COOPER as parent and                    *
next friend of J.C., a minor                   *       UNPUBLISHED
                                               *
                        Petitioner,            *
               v.                              *
                                               *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                            *       Reasonable Amount to Which
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                            *       Respondent Does Not Object.
                                               *
                        Respondent.            *
                                               *
*************************
Howard Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for petitioner.
Michael Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                     DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Roth, Special Master:

        On May 8, 2015, Ronald Cooper (“Mr. Cooper” or “petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation on behalf of his minor child, J.C., under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged
that J.C. developed Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy after receiving an influenza vaccination on
November 24, 2012. See generally Petition (“Pet.”), ECF No. 1. Respondent denies that the
influenza vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury. See Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the
parties agreed to settle this case. Respondent filed a stipulation of settlement on November 23,

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case,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).
2016. Stipulation, ECF No. 32. Accordingly, on November 23, 2016, the undersigned issued a
decision approving the settlement. Decision, ECF No. 33.

        Petitioner now seeks an award of attorney’s fees in the amount of $17,469.35 and costs in
the amount of $916.65, for a total of $18,386.00, pursuant to Section 15(e) of the Vaccine Act.
Motion for Attorney’s Fees (“Motion for Fees”) at 2, 5, 16, ECF No. 39. In accordance with
General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel has represented that petitioner did not incur any out of
pocket expenses. Id. at 1. Respondent filed a response on February 24, 2017, stating that he “is
satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this
case” but leaves the determination of reasonable costs and fees to the discretion of the special
master. Response at 2, ECF No. 40. After careful consideration, the undersigned has determined
to grant the request for the reasons set forth below.

        The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). Mr.
Gold has previously received the currently billed rates of $345 for work performed in 2014, $360
for work performed in 2015, and $370 for work performed in 2016, commensurate with his
significant experience in the vaccine program. See Karl v. Sec’y of HHS, No. 14-36V, 2016 WL
6069200 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Sept. 20, 2016). Additionally, Mr. Gold has requested an hourly
rate of $380 for work performed in 2017. The Chief Special Master has previously approved this
rate. See Coston v. Sec’y of HHS, No. 16-05V, 2017 WL 1152465 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Feb. 23,
2017). 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 $18,386.003 as a lump sum in the
form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel, Howard Gold.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/Mindy Michaels Roth
                                                     Mindy Michaels Roth
                                                     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), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing
of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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