Court Opinion

ID: 2807728
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-12 05:02:49.283125+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:30:05.308716
License: Public Domain

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

*********************
JAMES BOYER,             *                           No. 13-303V
                         *
             Petitioner, *                           Special Master Moran
                         *
v.                       *                           Filed: May 13, 2015
                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *                           Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                           in the amount to which
                         *                           respondent does not object.
             Respondent. *
*********************
Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA, for
Petitioner;
Glenn Macleod, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

               UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1

       On May 11, 2015, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, on April 13,
2015, petitioner filed an Application for Attorney’s Fees and Costs (“application”)
seeking a total award of $31,339.81. Upon review of petitioner’s application,
respondent raised objections to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions,
petitioner amended his application to request $30,180.65, an amount to which
respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

       On April 30, 2013, James Boyer filed a petition for compensation alleging
that the influenza vaccine, which he received on October 14, 2010, caused him to
suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). Petitioner received compensation based
upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, issued Nov. 4, 2014. Because petitioner

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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.
received compensation, he is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

       Petitioner seeks a total of $29,408.33, in attorneys’ fees and costs for his
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that he incurred $772.32, in 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 $29,408.33, in the form of a check made payable to
           petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Ronald C. Homer, for attorneys’
           fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
           15(e).

        b. A lump sum of $772.32, payable to petitioner, James Boyer, for costs
           he incurred in pursuit of his petition.

      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, Mary Holmes, at (202) 357-
6360.

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

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