Swanson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-558V Filed: February 22, 2017 Not for Publication

************************************* LORRAINE SWANSON, *

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Petitioner, *

* Attorneys’ fees and costs decision; v. * reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs

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SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

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Respondent. *

*

************************************* Ronald C. Homer, Boston, MA, for petitioner.

Amy P. Kokot, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1 On June 1, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that her receipt of the influenza vaccine on December 20, 2012 caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome. On September 13, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision awarding damages pursuant to the parties’ stipulation.

On February 8, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs, requesting attorneys’ fees in the amount of 27,953.50 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $3,090.82, for a total request of $31,044.32. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel stated petitioner did not incur any costs in pursuing her claim.

On February 22, 2017, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion explaining that he is satisfied this case meets the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e)(1)(A)-(B). Resp. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the [undersigned] exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 3.

Under the Vaccine Act, a special master or a judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims shall award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs for any petition that results in an award of compensation. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e)(1); Sebelius v. Cloer, 133 S. Ct. 1886, 1893 (2013). The special master has “wide discretion in determining the reasonableness” of attorneys’ fees and costs. Perreira v. Sec’y of HHS, 27 Fed. Cl. 29, 34 (1992), aff’d, 33 F.3d 1375 (Fed. Cir. 1994); see also Saxton ex rel. Saxton v. Sec’y of HHS, 3 F.3d 1517, 1519 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (“Vaccine program special masters are also entitled to use their prior experience in reviewing fee applications.”).

Based on her experience and review of the billing records submitted by petitioner, the undersigned finds that petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs request is reasonable. Therefore, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. Accordingly, the court awards $31,044.32, representing attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Conway, Homer, P.C. in the amount of $31,044.32.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith. 2 IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 22, 2017 s/ Laura D. Millman

Laura D. Millman Special Master