Filed: Oct. 25, 2019
Latest Update: Oct. 25, 2019
Summary: (Not to be published) DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On June 28, 2018, Vanessa Nelson, ("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 she suffered Guillain-Barr syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On September 30, 2019,
Summary: (Not to be published) DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On June 28, 2018, Vanessa Nelson, ("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 she suffered Guillain-Barr syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On September 30, 2019, ..
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(Not to be published)
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS1
BRIAN H. CORCORAN, Chief Special Master.
On June 28, 2018, Vanessa Nelson, ("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 she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On September 30, 2019, a decision was issued by then Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarding compensation to petitioner bases on the respondent's proffer. (ECF No. 30).
Petitioner has now filed a motion requesting attorney's fees and costs, dated October 18, 2019 (ECF No. 34.), requesting a total award of $19,070.37 (representing $17,286.50 in fees plus $1,784.23 in costs). Pursuant to General Order #9, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner has not incurred out-of-pocket costs in pursuit of this litigation. Id. Respondent reacted to the motion on October 21, 2019, indicating that he is satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney's fees and costs are met in this case, and deferring to the courts discretion to determine the amount to be awarded. (ECF No. 35). Petitioner notified the staff attorney's office on September 22, 2019, notifying that petitioner would not file a reply.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. § 15(e). I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner's initial request, and based on my discretion and Vaccine Program experience, I find the requested hourly rates and work performed to be reasonable. I therefore approve the requested amount for attorney's fees and costs.
Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner's Motion for attorneys' fees and costs. I award a total of $19,070.37 (representing $17,286.50 in attorney's fees and $1,784.23 in costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and her counsel, Maximillian J. Muller, Esq. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
