Fletcher v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2020 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1079V
(not to be published)
ANGELINE FLETCHER,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: November 17, 2020
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU);
HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1
On July 25, 2019, Angeline Fletcher filed a petition2 for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.3 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges she suffered a SIRVA on July 27, 2016 after receiving
a Tdap vaccination. (Amended Petition at 1). On October 21, 2020, a decision was issued
awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 28).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated November 4,
2020, (ECF No. 32), requesting a total award of $25,344.41 (representing $24,508.10 in
fees and $836.31 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9, Petitioner filed a signed
statement indicating that she incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 32-4).
1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the Decision 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.
Respondent reacted to the motion on November 6, 2020 indicating that he is satisfied
that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this
case and defers to the Court’s discretion to determine the amount to be awarded. (ECF
No. 33). On November 6, 2020, Petitioner filed a reply stating Petitioner “does not intend
to file a substantive reply”. (ECF No. 34).
I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my
experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested
hours or rates.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. §
15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. I
award a total of $25,344.41 (representing $24,508.10 in fees and $836.31 in costs) as a
lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel. In
the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court),
the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
2