United States Court of Federal Claims, 2015

Blake v. Hhs

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided February 9, 2015 · Denise Kathryn Vowell

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 03-0031V Filed: January 8, 2015

******************************** THOMAS J. BLAKE, and * PAMELA L. BLAKE, legal representatives * of a minor child, W.J.B., *

Petitioners, * Attorney Fees and Costs; v. * Stipulation

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

Respondent. *

******************************** Michael L. Cave, Cave Law Firm, Baton Rouge, LA, for petitioners.

Voris E. Johnson, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [hereinafter “the Program”],2 petitioners filed a motion for an award of attorney fees and costs on December 17, 2014. On January 5, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact Concerning Attorneys’ Fees and Costs [“Stipulation”]. Both filings include a statement pursuant to General Order #9 setting forth petitioners’ personal litigation costs. The Stipulation indicates that, after informal discussions with respondent, petitioners now request an amount to which respondent does not object.

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 $36,901.623 as follows:

 a lump sum of $34,655.36 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioners, Thomas J. Blake and Pamela L. Blake, and petitioners’ counsel of record for petitioners’ attorney fees and costs, and

 a lump sum of $2,246.26 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioners, Thomas J. Blake and Pamela L. Blake, for their 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, it will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance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), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, 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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