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  5. Whatley v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 15-1019V. (2016)

Whatley v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 15-1019V. (2016)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20160513d64 Visitors: 11
Filed: Mar. 16, 2016
Latest Update: Mar. 16, 2016
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On September 14, 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 the influenza ("flu") vaccination that she received on November 4, 2014 caused her to suffer a shoulder injury. Petition at 1, 3. On January 15, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding
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UNPUBLISHED

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1

On September 14, 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 the influenza ("flu") vaccination that she received on November 4, 2014 caused her to suffer a shoulder injury. Petition at 1, 3. On January 15, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent's Proffer. (ECF No. 13).

On March 10, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys' fees and costs. (ECF No. 17).3 Petitioner requests attorneys' fees in the amount of $10,692.60 and attorneys' costs in the amount of $1,547.85 for a total amount of $12,240.45. Id. at 1. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 18).

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.4

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $12,240.455 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner's counsel, Amber D. Wilson, Ph.D, Esq.

The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.6

IT IS SO ORDERED.

FootNotes


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 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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).
3. In the motion, petitioner states that respondent has no objection to petitioner's request.
4. The undersigned is granting petitioner's motion based on the reasonableness of the overall amount sought for attorneys' fees and costs given the circumstances in this case. This decision should not be interpreted as an acceptance of the reasonableness of either the hourly rate or amount of hours billed in this case. In other cases, the undersigned may reduce either the hourly rate requested or the amount of hours billed.
5. 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).
6. 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.
Source:  Leagle
Lawyers who claimed
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Citations
15-1019V.
Counsels
  • Amber Diane Wilson
  • Claudia Barnes Gangi
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