Court Opinion

ID: 2772386
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-22 21:01:53.731679+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:09:34.224846
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 14-629V
                                      Filed: January 5, 2015

****************************
IMRANA MUMTAZ,             *
                           *
               Petitioner, *                                Attorney Fees and Costs;
v.                         *                                Stipulation
                           *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
               Respondent. *
                           *
****************************

Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner.
Lara Englund, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS 1

Vowell, Special Master:

         On July 18, 2014, Imrana Mumtaz (“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” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleged that, as a result of receiving
an influenza vaccine on October 1, 2013, she suffered a shoulder injury the residual
effects of which lasted more than six months. (See Stipulation for Award, filed
December 30, 2014, ¶¶ 1-4 (ECF No. 17).) On December 31, 2014, I issued a decision
awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation.

1
  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, it will be
posted 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), 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
 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).
       On January 5, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact Concerning Attorneys’
Fees and Costs. (ECF No. 19.) According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon a
total award of attorneys’ fees and costs to petitioner in the amount of $14,500.00. (Id.)
In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (Id.)

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). I find the proposed amount to be reasonable.

      Accordingly, I award the total $14,500.00 3 as a lump sum in the form of a
check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Maximillian J. Muller.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                                s/Denise K. Vowell
                                                                Denise K. Vowell
                                                                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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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).
4
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing
the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.