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  5. Shea v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-1043V. (2018)

Shea v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-1043V. (2018)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20180904944 Visitors: 5
Filed: Aug. 06, 2018
Latest Update: Aug. 06, 2018
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 MINDY MICHAELS ROTH , Special Master . On August 23, 2016, Lanesia Shea ("Ms. Shea," or "petitioner") filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 2 on behalf of her minor child, A.S. Petitioner alleges that A.S. developed optic neuritis as a result of receiving an influenza vaccination on or about September 19, 2014. See Petition ("Pet."), ECF No. 1. On December 1, 2017, the undersigned is
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UNPUBLISHED

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1

On August 23, 2016, Lanesia Shea ("Ms. Shea," or "petitioner") filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on behalf of her minor child, A.S. Petitioner alleges that A.S. developed optic neuritis as a result of receiving an influenza vaccination on or about September 19, 2014. See Petition ("Pet."), ECF No. 1. On December 1, 2017, the undersigned issued a Decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties' stipulations. See Decision, ECF No. 26.

On June 1, 2018, petitioner filed a Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs. Motion for Fees, ECF No. 32. Petitioner requests attorneys' fees in the amount of $15,831.50 and attorneys' costs in the amount of $1,167.80 for a total amount of $16,999.30. Id. at 4. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner's counsel represents that petitioner incurred $3,157.21 in out-of-pocket expenses. Id. Petitioner later amended her request, increasing it to $4,083.83. See ECF No. 35-2.

On June 21, 2018 respondent filed out-of-time response to petitioners' Motion for Fees. Response, ECF No. 33-1. 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.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of "reasonable attorneys' fees" and "other costs." § 15(e)(1). Based on the reasonableness of the overall sum of petitioner's request,3 the undersigned GRANTS petitioner's motion for attorneys' fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $21,083.134 as follows:

• $4,083.83 representing reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, in the form of a check made payable solely to petitioner, Lanesia Shea; and • $16,999.30 representing reimbursement for attorneys' fees in the amount of $15,831.50 and costs in the amount of $1,167.80, in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner's counsel, Richard Gage, Esq.

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

FootNotes


1. Although this Decision has been formally designated "unpublished," it will nevertheless be posted on the Court of Federal Claims's website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. However, the parties may object to the Decision's inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request redaction "of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy." Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole Decision will be available to the public. Id.
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
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Citations
16-1043V.
Counsels
  • Richard Gage
  • Claudia Barnes Gangi
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