Nichols v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2021 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0912V
(not to be published)
CONSTANCE NICHOLS,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: August 11, 2021
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU);
HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Respondent.
Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1
On July 28, 2020, Constance Nichols (“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”)
casually related to the influenza vaccine she received on September 8, 2018. (Petition at
1). On May 4, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based
on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 26).
1
Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the
internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact
medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
If , upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from
public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated July 14, 2021,
(ECF No. 34), requesting a total award of $57,213.65 (representing $56,537.20 in fees
and $856.45 in costs). In accordance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner filed a signed
statement indicating that Petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 31-3).
Respondent reacted to the motion on July 20, 2021, 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 resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. (ECF No. 32). Petitioner
filed a reply on July 21, 2021, requesting that the Court award all fees and costs requested
in Petitioner’s application. (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. Section
15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. I
award a total of $57,213.65 (representing $56,537.20 in fees and $856.45 in costs) as a
lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel. Per
Petitioner’s request, the check should be forwarded to Maglio, Christopher & Toale,
PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236. 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.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by f iling a joint notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
2