Bell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-444V
Filed: May 18, 2016
UNPUBLISHED
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ELIZABETH S. BELL, *
*
Petitioner, *
v. *
* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
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Glenn Edwards Bowens, Bowens Law firm, Winnsboro, SC, for petitioner.
Doulas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On May 1, 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 she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of a September
14, 2010 influenza vaccination. On November 20, 2015, the undersigned issued a
decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No.
21).
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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 May 18, 2016, petitioner filed an unopposed motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs. (ECF No. 26). 3 Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $8,500.00
and petitioner’s out-of-pocket costs in the amount of $492.40. Id. at 1. In compliance
with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating petitioner
incurred $492.40 in out-of-pocket expenses.
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 $8,992.40 4 as follows:
• A lump sum of $8,500.00, representing reimbursement for attorneys’
fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
and petitioner’s counsel, Glenn Edwards Bowens, Esq.; and
• A lump sum of $492.40, representing reimbursement for petitioner’s
costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
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
3 Petitioner attached to the motion an e-mail correspondence wherein respondent’s counsel states that
respondent has no objection to petitioner’s motion.
4 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).
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