Jarman v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2015 )


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  •         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
    No. 14-773V
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Unpublished
    *********************************
    GENICE JARMAN,                                     *
    *
    Petitioner,               *
    v.                                *
    *       Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                            *
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                    *
    *
    Respondent.               *
    *
    *********************************
    Alison Haskins, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, (FL) Sarasota, FL, for
    petitioner.
    Lisa Watts, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
    DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1
    Vowell, Chief Special Master:
    On August 25, 2014, Genice Jarman filed a petition for compensation under the
    National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 [the
    “Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury to
    include rotator cuff tendonitis and adhesive capsulitis resulting from the tetanus-
    diphtheria-acellular pertussis [“Tdap”] vaccine she received on October 28, 2011.
    Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed Mar. 23, 2015, ¶ 4. On March 23, 2015, I issued a
    decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation.
    1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
    to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
    Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44
    U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
    300aa (2006).
    On May 14, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Regarding Final
    Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an
    award of $26,187.23 in attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with General Order
    #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.3
    The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
    U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). I find the proposed amount to be reasonable.
    Accordingly, I award the total $26,187.234 as a lump sum in the form of a
    check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Alison Haskins.
    The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.5
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
    s/Denise K. Vowell
    Denise K. Vowell
    Chief Special Master
    3Petitioner also indicates she will be filing a statement to that effect. Because the representation by
    petitioner’s counsel contained in the stipulation is sufficient, I am issuing this decision prior to petitioner’s
    statement. Petitioner still may file her statement but is not required to do so.
    4
    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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 
    924 F.2d 1029
    (Fed. Cir.1991).
    5Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
    See Vaccine Rule 11(a).
    2
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 14-773

Judges: Denise Kathryn Vowell

Filed Date: 6/4/2015

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 6/5/2015