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Gentry v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-1108V. (2018)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20180606b19 Visitors: 10
Filed: May 11, 2018
Latest Update: May 11, 2018
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 MINDY MICHAELS ROTH , Special Master . On September 6, 2016, Judy Linette Gentry ("Ms. Gentry," or "petitioner") filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 Petitioner alleges that she developed transverse myelitis after receiving an influenza vaccination on September 27, 2013. See Petition ("Pet."), ECF No. 1. On May 4, 2018, the undersigned issued a Decision awarding compensation to p
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UNPUBLISHED

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1

On September 6, 2016, Judy Linette Gentry ("Ms. Gentry," or "petitioner") filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she developed transverse myelitis after receiving an influenza vaccination on September 27, 2013. See Petition ("Pet."), ECF No. 1. On May 4, 2018, the undersigned issued a Decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties' stipulation. See Decision, ECF No. 24.

On May 10, 2018, petitioner filed a Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs requesting attorneys' fees in the amount of $15,933.00 and attorneys' costs in the amount of $1,110.19, for a total of $17,043.19.3 Motion for Fees, ECF No. 27.

In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner's counsel represents that petitioner did not incur any out-of-pocket expenses. Motion at 1.

On May 11, 2018, respondent filed a response to petitioners' Motion for Fees. Response, ECF No. 28. Respondent provided no specific objection to the amount requested or hours worked, but instead, "respectfully recommend[ed] that the Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys' fees and costs." Id. at 3. Petitioner did not file a reply.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of "reasonable attorneys' fees" and "other costs." § 15(e)(1). 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 $17,043.194 in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner's counsel, Howard Gold.

The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this Decision.5

IT IS SO ORDERED.

FootNotes


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 (2012)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete 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. I have made no determination as to appropriate hourly rates in this matter; I merely conclude that the total sums requested seem reasonable and appropriate.
4. 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).
5. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
Source:  Leagle
Lawyers who claimed
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Citations
16-1108V.
Counsels
  • Howard Scott Gold
  • Linda Sara Renzi
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