Court Opinion

ID: 2767391
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-07 21:01:27.12319+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:12:47.974006
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************** *
DIANE M. ZGLENSKI,        *
                          *
              Petitioner, *                          No. 12-701V
                          *                          Special Master Christian J. Moran
                          *
v.                        *                          Filed: November 21, 2014
                          *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH       *                          Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,       *                          in the amount to which
                          *                          respondent does not object.
              Respondent. *
******************** *

Charles J. Weiss, Timoney Knox, LLP, Fort Washington, PA, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS 1

       On November 13, 2014, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning
final attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
application to request $146,726.86, an amount to which respondent does not
object. The Court awards this amount.

       On October 17, 2012, Diane M. Zglenski filed a petition for compensation
alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on October 13, 2009,
caused her to suffer cervical transverse myelitis. Petitioner retained two experts to

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          The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
assist her with causation and another set of experts to assist her in quantifying her
potential recovery. Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’
stipulation. Decision, filed Nov. 7, 2014. Because petitioner received
compensation, she is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-15(e).

       Petitioner seeks a total of $146,726.86 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that she no incurred out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this claim.
Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.

      After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:

      a. A lump sum of $146,726.86 in the form of a check made payable to
         petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Charles J. Weiss for attorneys’
         fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
         15(e).

      The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

     Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Christina Gervasi, at (202)
357-6521.

      IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                              s/Christian J. Moran
                                              Christian J. Moran
                                              Special Master

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