Higgins v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************* * * DONNA HIGGINS, *

* No. 13-497V

Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran

*

v. * Filed: June 1, 2015

*

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).

*

Respondent. *

****************** ** * Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol, Schwartz, et al., Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner; Michael P. Milmoe, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1 On May 8, 2015, petitioner filed a stipulation of fact concerning final attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter.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 her application to request $71,500.00, an amount to which respondent does not object. The Court awards this amount.

On July 22, 2013, Donna Higgins filed a petition for compensation alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on November 1, 2011, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”). Petitioner received compensation based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, issued Apr. 29, 2015. Because petitioner received compensation, she is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Petitioner seeks a total of $71,500.00, in attorneys’ fees and costs for her counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states that she 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 $71,500.00, in the form of a check made payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Lawrence R. Cohan, 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) 357-6360.

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