Johnson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-0313V

JAIME JOHNSON,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 11, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Jonathan P. Groth, Groth Law Firm, S.C., Wauwatosa, WI, for Petitioner.

Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On February 21, 2025, Jaime Johnson 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on January 29, 2023. Petition at 3. On October 21, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 25.

Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $23,929.09 (representing $23,406.00 in fees plus $523.09 in costs). Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed February 18, 2026, ECF No. 32. Furthermore, Petitioner filed a signed statement that no personal out-of-pocket expenses were incurred. ECF No. 32-1 at 15.

Respondent reacted to the motion on February 25, 2026, indicating that he is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Motion at 2-4, ECF No. 33. Petitioner filed no reply thereafter.

I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. The rates requested for work performed through the end of 2025 are reasonable and consistent with our prior determinations. Petitioner has also requested the hourly rate of $596.00 for 2026 work performed by attorney Jonathan Groth, representing a rate increase of $96.00 from the previous year. I find the proposed rate to be reasonable and hereby award it herein. And all time billed to the matter was also reasonably incurred.

Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 32-1 at 11-14. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full.

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. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs in the total amount of $23,929.09 (representing $23,406.00 in fees plus $523.09 in costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. 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. 2 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review.p