Brenes v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
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RODRIGO BRENES, *
* No. 13-703V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. * Filed: July 17, 2015
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * in the amount to which respondent
* does not object.
Respondent. *
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Isaiah Kalinowski, Maglio, Christopher & Toale, Washington, DC, for Petitioner;
Debra Filteau Begley, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1
On July 15, 2015, petitioner filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent
for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections
to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her
application to request $22,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object.
The Court awards this amount.
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The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this ruling on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the
parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
On September 19, 2013, Rodrigo Brenes filed a petition for compensation
alleging that the flu vaccine, which he received on October 20, 2010, caused him to
suffer Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) and/or chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”). Petitioner received compensation based
upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, issued Feb. 26, 2015. Because petitioner
received compensation, he is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
Petitioner seeks a total of $22,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs. In
compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner has incurred no out-of-pocket
litigation expenses while pursuing this claim. Respondent has no objection to the
amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.
After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:
A lump sum of $22,000.00 in the form of a check made payable to
petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Isaiah Kalinowski, of the law
firm Maglio, Christopher, & Toale, for attorneys’ fees and other
litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.
Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Mary Holmes, at (202) 357-
6360.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
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