Castillo v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

********************* JAMES CASTILLO, *

* No. 12-283V Petitioner, * Special Master Moran

* v. * Filed: January 20, 2015

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

* respondent does not object. Respondent. *

********************* Monika A. Hartl, Worker’s Compensation Law Offices of Milwaukee, SC, Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner; Julia W. McInerny, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1 On January 9, 2015, petitioner filed a stipulation of fact concerning final attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned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 his application to request $53,308.14, an amount to which respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

On May 4, 2012, James Castillo filed a petition for compensation alleging that the hepatitis B vaccines, which he received on May 11, 2009 and June 11, 2009, caused him to suffer transverse myelitis (“TM”). Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed July 28, 2014. Because petitioner received compensation, he is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Petitioner seeks a total of $53,308.14 in attorneys’ fees and costs for his counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states that he incurred no 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 lump sum of $53,308.14 in the form of a check made payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Monika A. Hartl, for attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). 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