United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Wellerritter v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided November 30, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1044V

(not to be published)

LEE ANN WELLERRITTER,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner,

v. Filed: October 22, 2021 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); HUMAN SERVICES, Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Dhairya Divyakant Jani, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On July 18, 2019, Lee Ann Wellerritter (“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 her receipt of an influenza vaccine on October 1, 2018, caused her to develop a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. (Petition at 1). On March 25, 2021, a decision was issued awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 26).

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, dated September 21, 2021, (ECF No. 31), requesting a total award of $27,170.83 (representing $25,514.00 in fees and $1,656.83 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 $400.00. (Id. at 2). Respondent reacted to the motion on September 28, 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. 32). Petitioner filed a reply on September 30, 2021, requesting that the Court award all fees and costs requested in Petitioner’s application. (ECF No. 33).

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 $27,570.83 3 as follows:

• A lump sum of $27,170.83, 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 $400.00, representing reimbursement for Petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.

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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