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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-532V
Filed: February 8, 2016
Not for Publication
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KARL STEGER, *
*
Petitioner, *
* Attorneys’ fees and costs decision
v. * based on stipulation of fact
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
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Danielle A. Strait, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Douglas Ross, Washington, DC, for respondent.
MILLMAN, Special Master
DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1
On February 8, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation of fact in which they agreed on an
appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case.
In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner asserts that he did not incur any costs in
pursuit of his petition. Petitioner submitted his request for attorneys’ fees and costs to
respondent. During informal discussions, respondent raised objections to certain aspects of
petitioner’s application. Based on these objections, petitioner amends his application for
attorneys’ fees and costs to $10,450.00. Respondent does not object to this amount. The
1
Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this
case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal
Claims’s website, in accordance with 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion
of Electronic Government Services). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters
will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial
information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days
to identify and move to redact such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master,
upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special
master shall redact such material from public access.
undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards $10,450.00,
representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a
check payable jointly to petitioner and Maglio Christopher and Toale, P.A. for $10,450.00.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment herewith. 2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 8, 2016 s/ Laura D. Millman
Laura D. Millman
Special Master
2
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2