Court Opinion

ID: 3199782
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-03 12:05:36.754504+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:26.183534
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 15-0865V
                                      Filed: December 17, 2015
                                             Unpublished

****************************
GEORGETTE TAYLOR,                       *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *
       v.                               *      Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
                                        *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                 *
HUMAN SERVICES,                         *
                                        *
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
Amber D. Wilson, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On August 12, 2015, Georgette Taylor (“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 the
influenza (“flu”) vaccination that she received on September 23, 2014, caused her to
suffer a shoulder injury. On November 10, 2015, a decision was issued awarding
compensation to petitioner based on a proffer from respondent.

       On December 16, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to an
award of $10,714.90 for attorney’s fees and costs. In compliance with General Order

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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 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
 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).
#9, petitioner filed a statement indicating that she incurred no out-of-pocket expenses
related to the litigation of this case.

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

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $10,714.90 3 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Amber D. Wilson.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                  s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                  Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                  Chief 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
 Entry of judgment can be expedited by the filing of a joint notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).