Rasmussen v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2014 )


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  • In the United States Court of Federal Claims
    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
    ******************** *
    SHERRIE A. RASMUSSEN,     *
    *
    Petitioner, *                          No. 13-142V
    *                          Special Master Christian J. Moran
    *
    v.                        *                          Filed: October 10, 2014
    *
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH       *                          Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
    AND HUMAN SERVICES,       *                          in the amount to which
    *                          respondent does not object.
    Respondent. *
    ******************** *
    Diana S. Sedar, Maglio, Christopher, & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner;
    Tara J. Kilfoyle, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
    UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS 1
    On October 10, 2014, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
    attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
    informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
    for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
    to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
    application to request $ 22,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object.
    The Court awards this amount.
    On February 26, 2013, Sherrie A. Rasmussen filed a petition for
    compensation alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on
    September 5, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).
    1
    The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
    2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
    the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
    information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
    master will appear in the document posted on the website.
    Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision,
    filed Oct. 10, 2014. Because petitioner received compensation, she is entitled to an
    award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
    Petitioner seeks a total of $22,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
    counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
    that she has not incurred in out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this
    claim. Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees
    and costs.
    After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:
    a. A lump sum of $22,000.00 in the form of a check made payable to
    petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Diana S.Sedar, for attorneys’
    fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
    15(e).
    The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
    matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.
    Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Christina Gervasi, at (202)
    357-6521.
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
    s/Christian J. Moran
    Christian J. Moran
    Special Master
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 13-142

Judges: Christian J. Moran

Filed Date: 11/5/2014

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/17/2021