Court Opinion

ID: 3198540
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-04-27 20:02:03.373052+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:00.278507
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 14-656V
                                      Filed: December 11, 2015
                                             Unpublished

****************************
STEPHANIE KUHN,                    *
the parent and natural guardian of *
a minor child, L.K.,               *
                                   *
                     Petitioner,   *
       v.                          *                       Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
                                   *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND            *
HUMAN SERVICES,                    *
                                   *
                     Respondent.   *
                                 *
*********************************
Randall Knutson, Knutson and Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner.
Justine Walters, Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                        DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On July 24, 2014, Stephanie Kuhn (“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”] on behalf of her minor child, L.K. On September
29, 2015, the undersigned issued a decision dismissing the petition for insufficient proof.

       On December 11, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Regarding Final
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an
award of $11,726.77 for attorney’s fees and costs. In accordance 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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.

2National 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’s counsel represented that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.
Stipulation, ¶ 3.

      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 $11,726.773 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Randall G. Knutson.

        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

3This 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).

4Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).

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