Goldstein v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 17-873

17-873 | Fed. Cl. | Oct 11, 2019

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-0873V Filed: May 30, 2019 UNPUBLISHED BENITA GOLDSTEIN, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF STEWART G. GOLDSTEIN,

Special Processing Unit (SPU); Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Nancy Routh Meyers, Ward Black Law, Greensboro, NC, for petitioner. Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS ^[1] Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 27, 2017, 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 alleges that her husband, Stewart Goldstein, suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) and complications from his illness, including death, after receiving the influenza vaccination on September 30, 2016. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 3, 11. On November 21, 2018, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 36.

On May 14, 2019, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. ECF No. 41. Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $15,256.00 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $8,634.82. Id. at 1. The request for attorneys’ costs includes $7,785.77 incurred personally by petitioner as stated in the signed General Order #9. ECF No. 41-3. Thus, the total amount requested is $23,890.82.

On May 16, 2019, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. ECF No. 42. Respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13 contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a petitioner for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that he “is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case.” Id. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3.

On May 21, 2019, petitioner filed a reply. ECF No. 43. “Petitioner concurs with Respondent’s recommendation that Special Master Dorsey exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorney’s fees and costs in this case.” Id.

The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $23,890.82 ^[3] as follows: • A lump sum of $16,105.05, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel, Ward Black Law; and

• A lump sum of $7,785.77, 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. ^[4]

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master

NOTES

[1] The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned is 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).

[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).

[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" date_filed="1991-01-29" court="Fed. Cir." case_name="Amanda Beck, a Minor, by Her Father, Henry J. Beck v. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services">924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).

[4] 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.