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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1577V
(Not to be published)
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HOPE DOUCET, on behalf of *
her deceased minor child, A.C., *
*
Petitioner, *
* Filed: September 13, 2016
v. *
* Decision on Attorneys’
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Fees and Costs
HUMAN SERVICES *
*
Respondent. *
*
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DECISION (ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS)
In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,1 a Decision issued
on July 21, 2016. On August 24, 2016, Petitioners filed an Application for Attorneys’ Fees and
Costs, requesting a total payment of $10,933.97, representing attorneys’ fees of $10,086.50, and
$847.47 of attorneys’ costs. On September 12, 2016, Respondent filed a statement indicating
that Respondent has no objection to this request.
I find that this Petition was filed and pursued in good faith and with a reasonable basis.
Thus, an award for fees and costs is appropriate at this time, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(b)
and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amounts seem reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I
hereby award the following attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(b) and
(e)(1):
1
The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2012).
• a lump sum of $10,933.97, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner
and Petitioner’s counsel, Andrew D. Downing, on account of services performed
by counsel’s law firm.
In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review filed pursuant to Appendix B of the
Rules of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the clerk of the court shall enter judgment in
accordance herewith.2
IT IS SO ORDERED
/s/ George L. Hastings, Jr.
George L. Hastings, Jr.
Special Master
2
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing the
right to seek review.