Lynch v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************** * REONA DAKOTA LYNCH, *

*

Petitioner, * No. 12-676V

* Special Master Christian J. Moran *

v. * Filed: July 16, 2014

* SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ fees and costs; award AND HUMAN SERVICES, * in the amount to which

* respondent does not object. Respondent. *

******************** * Alexander Laufer, Eisenhower & Laufer, P.C., Fairfax, VA, for petitioner; Glenn Macleod, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1 On July 15, 2014, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner informally submitted a draft application for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent for review. Upon review of petitioner’s application, respondent raised objections to certain items. Based on subsequent discussions, petitioner amended her application to request $ 20,000.00, an amount to which respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

On October 5, 2012, Reona Dakota Lynch filed a petition for compensation alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on September 26, 2009, caused her to suffer a left optic neuritis with permanent vision loss. Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed June 2, 2014. Because petitioner received compensation, they are entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Petitioner seeks a total of $19,650.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states that she incurred $350.00 in out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this claim. Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.

After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following: a. A lump sum of $19,650.00 in the form of a check made payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Alexander Laufer, for attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(e).

b. A lump sum of $350.00, payable to petitioner, Reona Dakota Lynch, for costs she incurred in pursuit of her petition.

The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Mary Holmes, at (202) 357- 6353.

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master