Megan Lambing v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS *********************** MEGAN LAMBING, * * No. 11-21V Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran * v. * Filed: March 12, 2013 * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ fees and costs; stipulation; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * award in the amount to which respondent * has not objected Respondent. * * *********************** UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS* Isaiah R. Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher and Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner; Ryan D. Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.

On February 12, 2013, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final attorneys’ fees and costs.1 Previously, Ms. Lambing informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised certain objections. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her application to request $22,816.00, an amount to which respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

Ms. Lambing alleged that a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine, a human papillomavirus vaccine, and/or a meningococcal vaccine, caused her to develop acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Ms. Lambing received compensation based upon the * The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002), requires that the Court post this decision 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.

Issuance of the instant decision was delayed due to a discrepancy found in petitioner’s original Statement Regarding General Order No. 9. Petitioner confirmed that the identified discrepancy was a misstatement and filed a corrected version on March 8, 2013. parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed October 31, 2012. Because Ms. Lambing received compensation, she is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Ms. Lambing seeks a total of $22,816.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her counsel. Ms. Lambing has filed a statement in compliance with General Order No. 9, stating that she incurred no litigation expenses while pursuing this claim. Respondent has no objection to the requested attorneys’ fees and costs.

After reviewing the request, the court awards a check made payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney in the amount of $22,816.00 for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. The court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this matter.

The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.2 IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.