Wilson-Blount v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1400V

SHAWN WILSON-BLOUNT, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: October 25, 2023

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Jimmy A. Zgheib, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for Petitioner.

Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On May 26, 2021, Shawn Wilson-Blount filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. 2 (the “Vaccine Act”), alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on November 20, 2020. Petition, ECF No. 1 at 1. On July 25, 2023, I issued a decision determining entitlement and awarding damages to Petitioner, following briefing by the parties and participation in a Motions Day Hearing. ECF No. 41.

Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 inf ormation, 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 f rom public access.

2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018).

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $44,245.40 (representing $42,474.70 for fees and $1,770.70 for costs). Petitioner’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs filed Aug. 3, 2023, ECF No. 45. In accordance with General Order No. 9, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. ECF No. 45-3.

Respondent reacted to the motion on August 14, 2023, 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.

Respondent’s Response to Motion at 2-3, 3 n.2, ECF No. 46. Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter.

I note this case required additional briefing regarding the issues of entitlement and damages and participation in an expedited Motions Day. See Status Report, filed Feb.

16, 2023, ECF No. 31 (reporting an impasse in settlement discussions); Petitioner’s Motion for a Ruling on the Record and Brief in Support of Damages, filed Mar. 13, 2023, ECF No. 35; Petitioner’s Reply Brief, filed Apr. 17, 2023, ECF No. 37; Hearing Minute Entry, dated July 20, 2023 (regarding the July 14, 2023 hearing). Petitioner’s counsel expended approximately 14.2 hours drafting the brief in support of damages; and 7.4 hours drafting the reply brief, totaling 21.6 hours. ECF No. 45-1 at 18-19. I find this amount of time to be reasonable and I will award the attorney’s fees requested. (And all time billed to the matter was also reasonably incurred).

Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs, except $39.75 in fedex postage. I will nevertheless award the unsubstantiated costs. ECF No. 45-2. And Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I have reviewed the requested costs and find them to be reasonable.

The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. I award a total of $44,245.40 (representing $42,474.70 for fees and $1,770.70 in costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Jimmy A. Zgheib. In the absence of a timely- filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 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.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master