UNPUBLISHED

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1

NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.

On March 9, 2016, 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 she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("GBS") as a result of receiving her September 29, 2014 influenza ("flu") vaccination. On October 20, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties' stipulation. (ECF No. 22).

On February 6, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs. (ECF No. 26). Petitioner requests attorneys' fees in the amount of $28,382.00 and attorneys' costs in the amount of $2,610.74 for a total amount of $30,992.74. Id. at 1, 9-10. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. On February 23, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner's motion. (ECF No. 28).

In her response, respondent argues that "[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a petitioner for an award of attorneys' fees and costs." Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that she "is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys' fees and costs are met in this case." Id. at 2. Petitioner "respectfully recommends that the Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys' fees and costs." Id. at 3.

On November 4, 2016, the undersigned issued a reasoned decision in Henry v. HHS, No. 15-545V, 2016 WL 7189925 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Nov. 4, 2016), addressing hourly rates for the McLaren firm. The undersigned concluded that petitioner's counsel should be compensated at rates which are consistent with the rates requested in the instant application with the exception of the hourly rates billed for attorney travel time and for work performed by law clerks and paralegals in 2016 and 2017. The undersigned adopts the reasoning in the Henry decision for the instant analysis.3

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 costs. However, consistent with Henry, supra, the undersigned reduces the award to reflect a rate reduction for travel time and for 2016-17 law clerk and paralegal rates.

In April 2016, Mr. Cochran billed a total of 3.2 hours for travel time, amounting to billing of $2,201.00. (ECF No. 26-2, p. 7.) Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Webb was noted to be working on case review en route, the undersigned reduces the hourly rate for these hours by 50%. See, e.g., Hocraffer v. HHS, No. 99-533V, 2011 WL 3705153, at *24 (noting that "Special masters consistently award compensation for travel time at 50% of the billing rate in the Vaccine Program."). This results in a reduction of $1,100.50.

Additionally, there was 28.4 hours of paralegal time billed at a rate of $150 per hour, amounting to billing of $4,260.00. (ECF No. 26-2, p. 16.) Reducing the hourly rate to $145 reduces the total amount to $4118.00, a reduction of $142.00.

Based on all of the above, the undersigned finds that petitioner's counsel is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as follows:

Accordingly, the undersigned awards a lump sum of $29,750.24, representing reimbursement for attorneys' fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner's counsel, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C.

The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.