Filed: Nov. 26, 2019
Latest Update: Nov. 26, 2019
Summary: Not to be Published. DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On October 15, 2018, Travis Reitter ("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 Guillain-Barr syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine he received on October 8, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On October 15, 2019, a decis
Summary: Not to be Published. DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On October 15, 2018, Travis Reitter ("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 Guillain-Barr syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine he received on October 8, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On October 15, 2019, a decisi..
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Not to be Published.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS1
BRIAN H. CORCORAN, Chief Special Master.
On October 15, 2018, Travis Reitter ("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 Guillain-Barré syndrome ("GBS") as a result of an influenza ("flu") vaccine he received on October 8, 2016. (Petition at 1-2). On October 15, 2019, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent's proffer. (ECF No. 26).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney's fees and costs, dated October 25, 2019 (ECF No. 30) requesting a total award of $37,827.05 (representing $36,427.10 in fees and $1,399.95 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9, Petitioner filed a signed statement representing has incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 30-3). Respondent reacted to the motion on October 28, 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 defers to the Court's discretion to determine the amount to be awarded. (ECF No. 31). On October 29, 2019, Petitioner filed a reply disputing Respondent's position that he has no role in resolving attorney's fees and costs and further reiterates his view that his attorney's fees and costs in this case are reasonable. (ECF No. 33).
I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner's request. In my experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs. § 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner's Motion for attorney's fees and costs. I ward a total of $37,827.05 (representing $36,427.10 in fees and $1,399.95 in costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner's counsel. 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.
