Filed: Aug. 20, 2019
Latest Update: Aug. 20, 2019
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On February 17, 2017, 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 alleges that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to his receipt of a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine on September 3, 2015. Petition at 1-2. On March 25, 2019, the undersigned is
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On February 17, 2017, 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 alleges that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to his receipt of a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine on September 3, 2015. Petition at 1-2. On March 25, 2019, the undersigned iss..
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UNPUBLISHED
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On February 17, 2017, 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 alleges that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to his receipt of a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine on September 3, 2015. Petition at 1-2. On March 25, 2019, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties' stipulation. ECF No. 57.
On July 18, 2019, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs. ECF No. 62. Petitioner requests attorneys' fees in the amount of $24,274.00 and attorneys' costs in the amount of $842.68. Id. at 1. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at 2. Thus, the total amount requested is $25,116.68.
On August 1, 2019, respondent filed a response to petitioner's motion. ECF No. 63. Respondent argues that "[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13 requires respondent to file a response to a request by a petitioner for an award of attorneys' fees and costs." Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that he "is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys' fees and costs are met in this case." Id. at 2. Respondent "respectfully requests that the Court exercise its discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys' fees and costs." Id. at 3.
On August 5, 2019, petitioner filed a reply. ECF No. 64. Petitioner disputes respondent's position that he has no role in resolving attorneys' fees and costs and further reiterates his view that his attorneys' fees and costs in this case are reasonable.
The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner's request. In the undersigned's experience, the request appears reasonable, and the undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner's request, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner's motion for attorneys' fees and costs.
Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $25,116.683 as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner's counsel Joseph A. Vuckovich. Petitioner requests check be forwarded to 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
