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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0866V
(not to be published)
TAMMEE HINTON,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: November 6, 2020
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU);
HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Respondent.
Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1
On June 12, 2019, Tammee Hinton 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 alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome as the result
of an adverse reaction to an October 1, 2016 influenza vaccination. (Petition at 4-5). On
September 18, 2020, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based
on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 31).
1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
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).
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated September
30, 2020, (ECF No. 38), requesting a total award of $52,032.63 (representing $51,329.60
in fees and $703.03 in costs). In accordance with General Order #9, Petitioner filed a
signed statement indicating that she has incurred out-of-pocket expenses in the amount
of $14.35. (ECF No. 38-3). Respondent reacted to the motion on September 30, 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. 39). Petitioner filed a reply that same day requesting
the full amount of fees and costs be awarded as requested in Petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 40).
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, Petitioner is awarded the total amount of $52,046.98 3 as follows:
• A lump sum of $52,032.63, representing reimbursement for
attorney’s fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to
Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel;
• A lump sum of $14.35, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s
costs, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and
• Petitioner requests check be forwarded to Maglio Christopher &
Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236.
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. 4
3 This 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).
4 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
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3