Filed: Dec. 30, 2019
Latest Update: Dec. 30, 2019
Summary: (Not to be published) DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On August 31, 2018, Andrea DePoala Nace ("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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") resulting from an influenza ("flu") vaccination she received on November 21, 2016
Summary: (Not to be published) DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS 1 BRIAN H. CORCORAN , Chief Special Master . On August 31, 2018, Andrea DePoala Nace ("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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") resulting from an influenza ("flu") vaccination she received on November 21, 2016...
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(Not to be published)
DECISION ON ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS1
BRIAN H. CORCORAN, Chief Special Master.
On August 31, 2018, Andrea DePoala Nace ("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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") resulting from an influenza ("flu") vaccination she received on November 21, 2016. (Petition at 1). On December 5, 2019, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties' stipulation. (ECF No. 27).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney's fees and costs, dated December 5, 2019 (ECF No. 31) requesting a total award of $7,883.76 (representing $7,113.60 in fees and $770.16 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9 counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner has incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (Id. at 2.) Respondent reacted to the motion on December 17, 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. 32). By email correspondence on December 17, 2019, counsel for Petitioner informed the staff attorney managing this case that Petitioner did not intend to file a reply. See Informal Remark, December 23, 2019.
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 $7,883.76 (representing $7,113.60 in fees and $770.16 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.
