Reece v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-724V Filed: April 17, 2017 Not for Publication

************************************* THOMAS REECE, *

*

Petitioner, * Attorneys’ fees and costs decision;

* reasonable attorneys’ fees and v. * costs

*

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

Respondent. *

*

************************************* Michael G. McLaren, Memphis, TN, for petitioner.

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

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1 On July 14, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012). Petitioner alleged his receipt of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). On January 17, 2017, the undersigned issued a damages decision in this case pursuant to the parties’ stipulation awarding petitioner $646,322.67 in compensation.

On March 31, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. Petitioner requests $42,884.50 in attorneys’ fees, $4,677.98 in attorneys’ costs, and $1,581.80 in personal litigation expenses, for a total request of $49,144.28. On April 17, 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:

a. $47,562.48, representing attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, PC in the amount of $47,562.48; and

b. $1,581.80, representing petitioner’s costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable to petitioner for $1,581.80.

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: April 17, 2017 s/ Laura D. Millman

Laura D. Millman Special Master