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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1354V
Filed: June 23, 2016
Unpublished
*********************************
DAVID WOOD, *
*
Petitioner, *
v. *
* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
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Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Claudia Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On November 12, 2015, 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 alleged that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on October 25, 2014, he suffered an injury to his shoulder. On March 2, 2016,
the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the
respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 14).
On June 6, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 19). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $7,691.78. Id.
In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a declaration that he did not incur
any out-of-pocket costs related to the litigation of this matter. (ECF No. 20).
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2National 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).
On June 21, 2016, respondent filed a response stating that she “does not object
to the overall amount sought, as it is not an unreasonable amount to have been incurred
for proceedings in this case to date.” (ECF No. 21). She added, however, that the “lack
of objection to the amount sought in this case should not be construed as admission,
concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or
the other litigation related costs.” Id.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition
from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs.
Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $7,691.78 3 as a lump sum
in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Danielle Strait. 4
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 5
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all
charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered.
Furthermore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging or collecting fees (including costs) that would
be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs.,
924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).
4Petitioner requests that the award be forwarded to Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street,
Suite 710, Sarasota, FL 34236.
5 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2