Williams v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2016 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 10-728V
Filed: January 21, 2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
PAULA J. WILLIAMS, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
v. * Reasonable Amount Requested to
* which Respondent Does Not Object.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Renee J. Gentry, Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, Vienna, VA, for Petitioner.
Justine E. Walters, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
DECISION1
On October 27, 2010, Paula J. Williams (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006).
Petitioner alleged that an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered to her on November 7, 2008
caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”). Petition, at 1-2. On June 3, 2015, the
undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner.
On January 20, 2016, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’ Fees
and Costs. Pursuant to their Stipulation, the parties have agreed to an award of $61,000.00 in
1
Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, 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)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1
attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with General Order Number 9, Petitioner’s counsel
represents that Petitioner has not incurred any out-of-pocket litigation costs in pursuit of her
claim.
The undersigned finds that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate, pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems reasonable and
appropriate. Accordingly, the undersigned hereby awards the amount of $61,000.00, in the
form of a check made payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Renee J.
Gentry.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Special Master
3
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2