James v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2015 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: April 13, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * ** UNPUBLISHED
DIANE M. JAMES, * No. 11-626V
*
Petitioner, *
* Special Master Dorsey
v. *
* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Reasonable Amount Requested to which
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Respondent Does not Object.
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ramon Rodriguez, III, Rawls, McNelis and Mitchell, P.C., Richmond, VA, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS DECISION1
On September 30, 2011, Diane M. James (“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 she suffered permanent myalgia, arthralgia, and/or fibromyalgia that were
caused in fact by the trivalent influenza (flu) vaccine administered to her on October 1, 2008.
See Petition at 1. On September 23, 2014, the undersigned entered a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on a stipulation filed by the parties.
On April 10, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Attorneys’ Fees
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, 116 Stat. 2899,
2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). 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). Otherwise, the entire decision will be available to the
public. Id.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
and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties stipulate to a total award to petitioner of
attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $68,000.00. In accordance with General Order #9,
petitioner’s counsel states that petitioner did not personally incur any costs in pursuit of her
claim.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. §
300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of any objection
by respondent, the undersigned GRANTS the request for approval and payment of attorneys’
fees and costs.
Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:
in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney, Ramon
Rodriguez III, in the amount of $68,000.00.
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/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
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