Heyward v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 14-41

James Heyward filed a Vaccine Act petition alleging brachial neuritis caused by a December 18, 2012 Hepatitis B vaccination; the parties stipulated to compensation and the Special Master awarded damages.
Following the entitlement award, Heyward sought final attorneys’ fees and costs totaling $31,454.94 ($23,875.90 fees; $7,579.04 costs).
Counsel requested hourly rates of $295 for 2014–2015 and $306 for 2016, based on inflationary adjustments.
The Secretary did not object to the requested rates, hours, or costs.
The Special Master applied the Federal Circuit’s lodestar approach (hours × rate, with possible adjustments) and reviewed the records for reasonableness.
The Special Master awarded the full requested amount as a lump sum payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Entitlement to fees and costs	Heyward is entitled to fees and costs because he received compensation under the Vaccine Act	Did not contest entitlement following award	Awarded fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e)
Reasonableness of hourly rates	Proposed rates: $295 (2014–2015) and $306 (2016) as inflation-adjusted and reasonable	Did not object to requested rates	Rates found reasonable and awarded
Reasonableness of hours billed	Counsel’s billed hours were necessary and reasonable	Respondent did not challenge specific hours	Hours found reasonable; no reduction made
Award of litigation costs	Sought $7,579.04 in documented litigation costs	No objection raised	All costs found reasonable and awarded in full

Avera v. Secretary of Health & Human Services, 515 F.3d 1343 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (approves lodestar approach for Vaccine Act fee awards)
Blum v. Stenson, 465 U.S. 886 (U.S. 1984) (establishes hours × rate lodestar method for fee calculation)
Saxton v. Secretary of Health & Human Services, 3 F.3d 1517 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (fees must exclude excessive, redundant, or unnecessary hours)