Oaks v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-309V

(not to be published)

KATHRYN OAKS and LUKE OAKS, on behalf of R.O., a minor child, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: February 25, 2021 v.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Attorney’s Fees and Costs HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner. Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On February 27, 2019, Kathryn Oaks and Luke Oaks filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. 2 Petitioners allege that R.O. suffers from immune thrombocytopenia purpura as a result of a measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine administered to R.O. on August 15, 2016. (See generally Petition). On August 10, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 49).

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated February 9, 2021 (ECF No. 54), requesting an award of $99,756.32 (representing $80,064.80 in fees and $19,691.52 in costs). Petitioner is also requesting attorney fees incurred by the Law Office of Dane Norman, PLLC in the amount of $10,338.05 and for fees incurred by Payne, Powell & Truit – Law Group, in the amount of $750.00. In accordance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner filed a signed statement indicating that Petitioner incurred no out- of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 54-5). Respondent did not file a response.

I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Section 15(e). Accordingly, petitioner is awarded the total amount of $110,844.37 3 as follows:

• A lump sum of $99,756.32, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel;

• A lump sum of $10,338.05, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and the Law Office of Dane Norman, PLLC;

• A lump sum of $750.00, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Payne, Powell, & Truitt – Law Group; and

• Petitioner request checks be forwarded to Maglio Christopher &

Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite 710, Sarasota Florida 34236. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master