Martinez v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2022 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1754V
(not to be published)
VICTORIA MARTINEZ,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: December 22, 2021
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU);
HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1
On November 13, 2019, Victoria Martinez (“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 a shoulder
injury related to vaccine administration as a result of her March 6, 2018 tetanus diphtheria
acellular pertussis vaccination. (Petition at 1). On December 9, 2021, a decision was
issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. (ECF No.
29).
1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references 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 December
10, 2021, (ECF No. 35), requesting a total award of $16,825.48 (representing $16,293.10
in fees and $532.38 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.
35-4). Respondent reacted to the motion on December 15, 2021, indicating that he does
not object to the overall amount sought. (ECF No. 36). Petitioner filed a reply on
December 15, 2021, indicating that since Respondent made no specific objection, she
does not indent to file a substantive reply. (ECF No. 37).
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 $16,825.48 (representing $16,293.10 in fees and $532.38 in costs) as a
lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel. 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 filing a joint notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
2