Buchanan v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2022 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: September 23, 2022
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
TERESA BUCHANAN, * No. 19-1649V
* Special Master Horner
Petitioner, *
*
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren, et al., PC, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner.
Voris E. Johnson, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
On October 24, 2019, Teresa Buchanan (“petitioner”) filed a claim under the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10-34 (2012),2 alleging that she suffered a left
shoulder injury as a result of an influenza vaccination administered on October 16, 2017. (ECF
No. 1). On August 24, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation, which I adopted as my decision
awarding compensation on the same day. (ECF No. 36).
On October 20, 2021, petitioner filed an application for attorneys’ fees and costs. (“Fees
App.”) (ECF No. 41). Petitioner requests total attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of
$73,329.47 (representing $59,817.30 in fees and $13,512.17 in costs). Fees App. at 2. Pursuant to
General Order No. 9, petitioner has indicated she has not personally incurred any costs related to
the prosecution of her claim. Id. Respondent responded to the motion on October 27, 2021,
1
I intend to post this Ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website. This means the Ruling
will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits
within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished ruling
contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required 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. § 3501note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).
2
National 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).
indicating that “Respondent is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees
and costs are met in this case.” Resp. at 2 (ECF No. 42). Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter.
This matter is now ripe for consideration.
I. Reasonable Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). The
Federal Circuit has approved the lodestar approach to determine reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs under the Vaccine Act. Avera v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 515 F.3d 1343, 1347 (Fed.
Cir. 2008). This is a two-step process. Id. at 1347-48. First, a court determines an “initial estimate
. . . by ‘multiplying the number of hours reasonably expended on the litigation times a reasonable
hourly rate.’” Id. (quoting Blum v. Stenson, 465 U.S. 886, 888 (1984)). Second, the court may
make an upward or downward departure from the initial calculation of the fee award based on
specific findings. Id. at 1348.
It is “well within the special master’s discretion” to determine the reasonableness of fees.
Saxton v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 3 F.3d 1517, 1521–22 (Fed. Cir. 1993); see also Hines
v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 22 Cl. Ct. 750, 753 (1991). (“[T]he reviewing court must grant
the special master wide latitude in determining the reasonableness of both attorneys’ fees and
costs.”). Applications for attorneys’ fees must include contemporaneous and specific billing
records that indicate the work performed and the number of hours spent on said work. See Savin
v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 85 Fed. Cl. 313, 316–18 (2008). Such applications, however,
should not include hours that are “‘excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.’” Saxton, 3
F.3d at 1521 (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 434 (1983)).
Reasonable hourly rates are determined by looking at the “prevailing market rate” in the
relevant community. See Blum, 465 U.S. at 894-95. The “prevailing market rate” is akin to the rate
“in the community for similar services by lawyers of reasonably comparable skill, experience and
reputation.” Id. at 895, n.11. Petitioners bear the burden of providing adequate evidence to prove
that the requested hourly rate is reasonable. Id.Special masters can reduce a fee request sua sponte, without providing petitioners notice
and opportunity to respond. See Sabella v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 86 Fed. Cl. 201, 209
(Fed. Cl. 2009). When determining the relevant fee reduction, special masters need not engage in
a line-by-line analysis of petitioners’ fee application. Broekelschen v. Sec’y of Health & Human
Servs., 102 Fed. Cl. 719, 729 (Fed. Cl. 2011). Instead, they may rely on their experience with the
Vaccine Program to determine the reasonable number of hours expended. Wasson v. Sec’y of Dep’t
of Health & Human Servs., 24 Cl. Ct. 482, 484 (1991), rev’d on other grounds and aff’d in relevant
part, 988 F.2d 131 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Just as “[t]rial courts routinely use their prior experience to
reduce hourly rates and the number of hours claimed in attorney fee requests . . . Vaccine program
special masters are also entitled to use their prior experience in reviewing fee applications.” Saxton,
3 F.3d at 1521.
a. Hourly Rates
2
The decision in McCulloch provides a framework for consideration of appropriate ranges
for attorneys’ fees based upon the experience of the practicing attorney. McCulloch v. Sec’y of
Health & Human Servs., No. 09-293V, 2015 WL 5634323, at *19 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Sept. 1,
2015), motion for recons. denied, 2015 WL 6181910 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Sept. 21, 2015). The
Court has since updated the McCulloch rates, and the Attorneys’ Forum Hourly Rate Fee
Schedules for 2015–2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 can be accessed online.3
Petitioner requests the following hourly rates for her counsel: for Mr. Chris Webb, $338.00
per hour for work performed in 2019, $351.00 per hour for work performed in 2020, and $364.00
for work performed in 2021; for Mr. Michael McLaren, $464.00 per hour for work performed in
2019 and $484.00 per hour for work performed in 2020; and for Mr. William Cochran, Jr., $391.00
per hour for work performed in 2019 and $405.00 per hour for work performed in 2020. These
rates are consistent with what counsel have previously been awarded for their Vaccine Program
work, and the undersigned finds them to be reasonable herein.
b. Hours Expended
Attorneys’ fees are awarded for the “number of hours reasonably expended on the
litigation.” Avera, 515 F.3d at 1348. Counsel should not include in their fee requests hours that are
“excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.” Saxton, 3 F.3d at 1521. While attorneys may be
compensated for non-attorney-level work, the rate must be comparable to what would be paid for
a paralegal or secretary. See O'Neill v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., No. 08–243V, 2015 WL
2399211, at *9 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Apr. 28, 2015). Clerical and secretarial tasks should not be
billed at all, regardless of who performs them. See, e.g., McCulloch, 2015 WL 5634323, at *26.
Upon review, the overall number of hours billed appears to be largely reasonable. I have
reviewed the billing entries and find that they adequately describe the work done on the case and
the amount of time spent on that work. However, a small reduction must be made for paralegals
billing time for clerical tasks such as filing documents and for attorney time directing paralegals
to file documents. This results in a reduction of $495.50. Petitioner is therefore awarded final
attorneys’ fees of $59,817.30.
c. Attorneys’ Costs
Like attorneys’ fees, a request for reimbursement of attorneys’ costs must be reasonable.
Perreira v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 27 Fed. Cl. 29, 34 (Fed. Cl. 1992). Petitioner requests
a total of $13,512.17 in attorneys’ costs. This amount is comprised of $5,405.62 in costs incurred
by current counsel (largely travel expenses for an initial client meeting and to facilitate the fact
hearing as well as medical records and postage) and $8,106.55 incurred by petitioner’s former
counsel at Conway, Homer, P.C. Petitioner has provided adequate documentation of the requested
costs and they appear to be largely reasonable in my experience. The only reduction necessary is
for first class travel booked by Mr. Webb. Fees App. Ex. 2 at 28. Mr. Webb has been cautioned on
numerous occasions that the Vaccine Program does not reimburse upgraded travel methods. See,
e.g., Digerolamo v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No., 2019 WL 4305792 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr.
3
The OSM Fee Schedules are available at: http://www.cofc.uscourts.gov/node/2914.
3
Jun. 28, 2019). I shall reduce the requested airfare cost by half, resulting in a reduction of $399.50.
Petitioner is therefore awarded $13,112.67 in final costs.
II. Conclusion
Based on all the above, I find that petitioner is entitled to the following award of reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs:
Attorneys’ Fees Requested $59,817.30
(Reduction to Fees) -
Total Attorneys’ Fees Awarded $59,817.30
Attorneys’ Costs Requested $13,512.17
(Reduction of Costs) - ($399.50)
Total Attorneys’ Costs Awarded $13,112.67
Total Attorneys’ Fees and Costs $72,929.97
In accordance with the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e) (2012), I have reviewed the
billing records and costs in this case and I find it reasonable to compensate petitioner and her
counsel as follows: a lump sum in the amount of $72,929.97, representing reimbursement for
petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner and her
attorney, Mr. Michael McLaren.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of the
Court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
Special Master
4
Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek
review. Vaccine Rule 11(a).
4