Alsip v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1815V

MARIA ALSIP, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: September 28, 2023

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On September 7, 2021, Maria Alsip 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 a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration a defined Table injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 23, 2020. Petition, ECF No. 1. On May 24, 2023, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner, based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 26.

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 $ 13,453.83 (representing $ 12,868.90 for fees and $ 584.93 for costs). Petitioner’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed Aug. 8, 2023, ECF No. 32. In accordance with General Order No. 9, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitoner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at 2.

Respondent reacted to the motion on Aug. 15, 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. 33. Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter.

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.

I note this case required additional briefing regarding the issue of damages. See Petitioner’s Motion for Ruling on the Record; filed Sept. 13, 2022, ECF No. 15. Petitioner’s counsel expended approximately 9.60 hours drafting her brief in support of damages.

ECF No. 32 at 10. I find this amount of time to be reasonable. All time billed to the matter was also reasonably incurred. Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. Motion at 14-19. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I have reviewed the requested costs and find them to be reasonable.

CONCLUSION The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). I award a total of $13,453.83 (representing $12,868.90 for fees and $584.93 in costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Laura Levenberg. 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