United States Court of Federal Claims, 2017

Gilerman v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided March 10, 2017 · Christian J. Moran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

********************** ANNA GILERMAN, *

* No. 15-624V Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran

* v. * Filed: February 8, 2017

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

* not object.

Respondent. *

********************** Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil LLP, Desher, PA, for petitioner; Amy Kokot, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 On June 18, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered linchen planus. On August 23, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation.

Because petitioner received compensation, petitioner is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

On February 2, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs; respondent filed a response not objecting to the amount sought on February 7, 2017. Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $16,944.50 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $893.02 for a total amount of $17,837.52. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. § 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $17,837.52. Of this amount $ 17,837.52 shall be payable as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel Maximillian J. Muller. 2

The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. 2 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, § 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 of Health & Human Servs., 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir. 1991). 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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