Waidzunas 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. 16-1304V
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    UNPUBLISHED
    SHARYN WAIDZUNAS,
    Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
    HUMAN SERVICES,
    Respondent.
    Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
    Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
    DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1
    Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
    On October 11, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
    National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”), 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10,
    et seq., 2 (the “Vaccine Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to
    Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of her September 15, 2014 influenza
    vaccination. Petition at 1-2. On October 16, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision
    denying compensation to petitioner based on insufficient proof of injury. (ECF No. 28.)
    On November 29, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
    (ECF No. 30.) Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $15,629.30 and
    attorneys’ costs in the amount of $1,215.74. (Id. at 1.) In compliance with General
    1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
    Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating that petitioner incurred no out-of-
    pocket expenses. (ECF No. 30-3.) Thus, the total amount requested is $16,845.04.
    On December 13, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF
    No. 32.) 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 he “is
    satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in
    this case.” (Id. at 2.) Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special
    Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees
    and costs.” (Id. at 3.)
    On December 13, 2017, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 33.) Petitioner
    disputes respondent’s position that she has no role in resolving attorneys’ fees and
    costs and further reiterates his view that his attorneys’ fees and costs in this case are
    reasonable.
    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 $16,845.04 3 as a lump
    sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel,
    Diana Lynn Stadelnikas. Per petitioner’s request, payment shall be forwarded to
    Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota, Florida,
    34236.
    The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 4
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
    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
    s/Nora Beth Dorsey
    Nora Beth Dorsey
    Chief Special Master
    3
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 16-1304

Judges: Nora Beth Dorsey

Filed Date: 4/27/2018

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/18/2021