Court Opinion

ID: 2739316
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-02 16:02:07.510087+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:59:55.544170
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                 Filed: September 11, 2014

* * * * * * * *           *   *   *   *   *  *       UNPUBLISHED
WILLIAM COREY,                               *       No. 09-424V
                                             *
               Petitioner,                   *
                                             *       Special Master Dorsey
 v.                                          *
                                             *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH                         *       Reasonable Amount Requested to which
 AND HUMAN SERVICES,                         *       Respondent Does not Object.
                                             *
               Respondent.                   *
                                             *
 * * * * * * * * * * * * *
F. John Caldwell, Jr., Maglio Christopher and Toale, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Julia McInerny, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS DECISION1

        On June 30, 2009, William M. Corey (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006).
Petitioner alleged that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”), as a result of an
influenza vaccine administered to him on October 6, 2008.3 See Petition at 1, 4. On June 20,
2014, a decision was entered based on the parties’ stipulation awarding compensation to
petitioner.

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899,
2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which
to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or
commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes
medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the entire decision will be available to the
public. Id.
2
  The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
3
  In his prehearing submissions, petitioner identifies Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating
Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) as indistinguishable from GBS.
                                                1
        On September 11, 2014, the parties filed a Stipulation of Attorneys’ Fees and Costs.
According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to a total award to petitioner of attorneys’ fees
and costs in the amount of $72,142.00. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s
counsel represents that petitioner did not personally advance any reimbursable costs in pursuit of
his claim.

       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 the parties’ stipulation, the undersigned GRANTS
the request for approval and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.

       Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:

       in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney, F. John
       Caldwell, Jr., of Maglio, Christopher & Toale, P.A., in the amount of $72,142.00.

        In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.4

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                               s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                               Nora Beth Dorsey
                                               Special Master

4
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
                                                  2