Court Opinion

ID: 856478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-03-28 13:55:43.982505+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:40:27.159742
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                      OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 11-156V
                                         Filed: March 7, 2013

****************************
ROBERT V. DAVIS and                  *
AMY M. PHILLIPS-DAVIS,               *
Parents and Legal Representatives of *
AIDAN L. DAVIS, a Minor Child,       *                             Interim Attorney
                                     *                             Fees and Costs.
                   Petitioners,      *
             v.                      *
                                     *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                  *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                  *
                                     *
                   Respondent.       *
****************************

Thomas P. Gallagher, Esq., Gallagher & Gallagher, Somers Point, NJ for petitioners.
Lisa A. Watts, Esq., US Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                   DECISION on INTERIM ATTORNEY FEES and COSTS1

Vowell, Special Master:

        On March 14, 2011, Robert Davis and Amy Davis [“petitioners”] filed a pro se
petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.2 [the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”], on behalf of their minor
son, Aidan Davis. On May 6, 2011, attorney Thomas Gallagher entered an appearance
as petitioners’ counsel of record.

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 14 days to identify
and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further,
consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision.
If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will
delete such material from public access.
2
  National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (1986). Hereinafter,
for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa (2006).
       On February 5, 2013, Mr. Gallagher moved to withdraw as attorney of record.
On February 6, 2013, I issued an order deferring a ruling on Mr. Gallagher’s motion to
withdraw to allow him the opportunity to file a motion for interim attorney fees and costs.
Mr. Gallagher filed a motion for interim fees and costs [“Interim Application”] on
February 12, 2013, requesting a total of $15,217.75 in attorney fees and costs.3

        On February 12, 2013, respondent filed her opposition to petitioners’ Interim
Application [“Opposition”]. Respondent maintains that the express language of
§ 15(e)(1) does not confer Special Masters with the authority to award interim attorney
fees and costs. Opposition at 2. She adds that “petitioners failed to present any reason
for this Court to award interim fees and costs under any of the Avera factors (e.g.,
protracted proceedings, costly experts, or undue hardship).” Id. (referencing Avera v.
Sec’y, HHS, 515 F.3d 1343, 1352 (Fed. Cir. 2008)). In closing, however, respondent
states that if the special master decides to award interim fees and costs, respondent
does not find the amount requested “per se unreasonable for proceedings on the
petition to date.” Opposition at 5.

       I find that petitioners are entitled to an award of interim attorney fees and costs
under the facts and circumstances of this case. A review of the materials offered in
support of the application for interim attorney fees and costs indicates that the
requested amount is reasonable. Accordingly, I hereby award the total of
$15,217.754 as follows:

           a lump sum of $14,967.75 in the form of a check payable jointly to
            petitioners, Robert and Amy Davis, and petitioners’ attorney of record,
            Thomas Gallagher, for interim attorney fees and costs; and

           a lump sum of $250.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners,
            Robert and Amy Davis, for their personal litigation costs.5

3
  Specifically, Mr. Gallagher requests $13,956.25 in fees and $1,011.50 in attorney costs. Additionally, he
requests $250.00 on behalf of petitioners for their personal litigation costs.
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, HHS, 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed.
Cir.1991).
5
 Petitioners did not file a statement comporting with General Order 9. As indicated, however, a separate
check will be sent to petitioners alone for those litigation costs incurred by petitioners as indicated by Mr.
Gallagher in his Interim Application.

                                                      2
       In the absence of a motion for review filed under RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
court shall enter judgment accordingly.6

IT IS SO ORDERED.
                                                 s/Denise K. Vowell
                                                 Denise K. Vowell
                                                 Special Master

6
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).

                                                    3