United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Pecora v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided September 1, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-474V

(not to be published)

ADRIA PECORA and JOSEPH PECORA, JR., Chief Special Master Corcoran as representatives of the ESTATE OF MARYANNE PECORA, Filed: July 30, 2021 deceased,

Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner,

v. Attorney’s Fees and Costs SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Danielle Strait, 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 April 1, 2019, Adria Pecora and Joseph Pecora, Jr., (“Petitioners”), as personal representatives of the Estate of Maryanne Pecora (“Mrs. Pecora”), deceased, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. 2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioners allege that Mrs. Pecora suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 8, 2017. (Petition at 1-2). On March 30, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. (ECF No. 32).

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated July 8, 2021 (ECF No. 37), requesting an award of $32,725.61 (representing $31,508.50 in fees and $1,217.11 in costs). In accordance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner filed a signed statement indicating that Petitioner incurred out-of-pocket expenses in the amount of $589.77. (ECF No. 37-3). Respondent reacted to the motion on July 22, 2021, indicating that he is satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this case, but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. (ECF No. 38). On July 26, 2021, Petitioner filed a reply requesting the attorneys fees and costs be awarded in full. (ECF No. 39).

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 $33,315.38 3 as follows:

• A lump sum of $32,725.61, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel; and

• A lump sum of $589.77, representing reimbursement for Petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. • Petitioner requests 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

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 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). 4 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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