Massey v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2018 )


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  •         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
    No. 16-1032V
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    UNPUBLISHED
    *********************************
    BEVERLY MASSEY,                                   *
    *
    Petitioner,              *
    v.                                                *
    *       Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
    AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
    *
    Respondent.              *
    *
    ****************************
    Andrew D. Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
    Lynn E. Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
    DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
    Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
    On August 19, 2016, Beverly Massey (“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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder
    injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza (flu) vaccine
    she received on November 20, 2015. On June 20, 2017, the undersigned issued a
    decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ joint stipulation.
    (ECF No. 25).
    On June 20, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
    No. 26). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $13,815.00, and attorneys’
    1
    Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
    undersigned intends 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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
    within this definition, the undersigned 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
    300aa (2012).
    costs in the amount of $928.86, for a total amount of $14,743.86. Id. at 1. In
    compliance with General Order #9, on July 26, 2017, petitioner filed a signed statement
    indicating she incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.
    On July 5, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No.
    30). In her response, respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine
    Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a
    petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds,
    however, that she “is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees
    and costs are met in this case.” Id. at 2. Petitioner “respectfully recommends that the
    Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for
    attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3.
    The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s
    request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the
    undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.
    The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
    § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned
    GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
    Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $14,743.86,3 as a lump
    sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
    Andrew D. Downing, Esq.
    The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
    s/Nora Beth Dorsey
    Nora Beth Dorsey
    Chief Special Master
    3
    This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all
    charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered.
    Furthermore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging or collecting fees (including costs) that would
    be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs.,
    
    924 F.2d 1029
     (Fed. Cir.1991).
    4
    Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
    renouncing the right to seek review.
    2
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 16-1032

Judges: Nora Beth Dorsey

Filed Date: 1/25/2018

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/18/2021