United States Court of Federal Claims, 2014

Melton v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided August 12, 2014 · Denise Kathryn Vowell

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 11-589V Filed: July 8, 2014

*************************** JAMES MELTON, *

* Petitioner, * Stipulation; Attorney’s Fees and

* Costs v. *

* SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

*********************** *** Ramon Rodriguez, Esq., Rawls McNelis & Mitchell, Richmond, VA for petitioner. Althea Davis, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS 1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 2 I issued a decision on December 2, 2013, that awarded compensation pursuant to the parties’ joint stipulation. On July 7, 2014, the parties filed a joint stipulation for attorney’s fees and costs. The stipulation indicates that after informal discussions concerning petitioner’s draft application for fees, petitioner now seeks an amended amount to which respondent does not object. Additionally, the stipulation notes that petitioner personally incurred litigation costs.

I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems reasonable and appropriate.

Accordingly, I hereby award the total $23,839.50 3 as follows:

• a lump sum of $23,500.00 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner (James Melton) and petitioner’s counsel of record (Rawls McNeils & Mitchell) for petitioner’s attorney fees and costs, and

• a lump sum of $339.50 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,

James Melton for his personal litigation costs.

The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 4 IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s Denise K. Vowell Denise K. Vowell Chief Special Master

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete such material from public access. 2 The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2006). 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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir. 1991). 4 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. See Vaccine Rule 11(a).

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