Filed: Dec. 30, 2019
Latest Update: Dec. 30, 2019
Summary: NO TO BE PUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On August 31, 2018, Maia Merin ("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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 20, 2017. (Petition at 1). On September 27,
Summary: NO TO BE PUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On August 31, 2018, Maia Merin ("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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 20, 2017. (Petition at 1). On September 27, ..
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NO TO BE PUBLISHED
DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS1
BRIAN H. CORCORAN, Chief Special Master.
On August 31, 2018, Maia Merin ("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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 20, 2017. (Petition at 1). On September 27, 2019, a decision was issued by then-Chief Special Master Dorsey awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent's proffer. (ECF No. 31).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney's fees and costs, dated November 27, 2019, (ECF No. 37), requesting a total award of $20,990.35 (representing $19,914.05 in fees and $1,076.30 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9 Petitioner filed a signed indicating that Petitioner has incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 37-3). Respondent reacted to the motion on December 10, 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. 38). Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter.
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 award a total of $20,990.35 (representing $19,914.05 in fees and $1,076.30 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.
