United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Higgins-Abato v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided August 18, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-268V

(not to be published)

MAUREEN HIGGINS-ABATO,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner,

v. Filed: July 19, 2021 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Respondent.

Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On March 11, 2020, Maureen Higgins-Abato (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Guillain- Barre Syndrome as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 2, 2017. (Petition at 1). On March 5, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 37).

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated June 15, 2021, (ECF No. 43), requesting a total award of $31,445.98 (representing $30,287.00 in fees and $1,158.98 in costs). In accordance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner filed a signed statement indicating she has incurred out-of-pocket expenses in the amount of $25.70. (ECF No. 43-3). Respondent reacted to the motion on June 17, 2021, indicating that he is satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this case, and defers resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. (ECF No. 44). Petitioner filed a reply on June 21, 2021, requesting that the Court award Petitioner all fees and costs requested in Petitioner’s application. (ECF No. 45).

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 $31,471.68 as follows:

• A lump sum of $31,445.98 representing reimbursement for fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel and;

• A lump sum of $25.70, representing reimbursement for Petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. • Per Petitioner’s request, the check should 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. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am required 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). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all “§” ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by f iling a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review.

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