Court Opinion

ID: 4104684
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-12-06 13:02:33.857457+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:19.017091
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1276V
                                   Filed: September 28, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
JANICE ELLIOTT,                                   *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On October 28, 2015, 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”). Petitioner alleged that that she suffered a left shoulder injury that was
caused-in-fact by her December 1, 2014 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1-3;
Stipulation, filed August 16, 2016, at ¶¶ 2, 4. On August 17, 2016, the undersigned
issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ Stipulation.
(ECF No. 23).

       On September 14, 2016, petitioner filed an application for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF No. 27). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $13,443.50
1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with
the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned 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).
and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $658.84 for a total amount of $14,102.34. Id. at 1-
2. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

        On September 19, 2016, respondent filed a response stating that

        [r]espondent does not object to the overall amount sought, as it is not an
        unreasonable amount to have been incurred for proceedings in this case
        to date. Respondent’s lack of objection to the amount sought in this case
        should not be construed as admission, concession, or waiver as to the
        hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or the other litigation
        related costs.

(ECF No. 28).

       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition
from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s application for attorneys’ fees
and costs.

      Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $14,102.343 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel,
Paul R. Brazil.

        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, § 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 of Health & Human Servs.,
924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).

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

                                                     2