Solis v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-262V

GUADALUPE SOLIS,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner,

v. Filed: July 6, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

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

Nathaniel Trager, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1

On January 7, 2021, Guadalupe Solis 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration following an influenza vaccination she received on October 9, 2018. Petition at 1. On October 17, 2025, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 46. On March 13, 2026, I issued a decision awarding damages to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 53.

1 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 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 section references 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 $37,972.37 (representing $35,774.90 in fees plus $2,197.47 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed May 19, 2026. ECF No. 58. Furthermore, counsel for Petitioner represents that no personal out-of-pocket expenses were incurred. ECF No. 58 at 1.

Respondent reacted to the motion on May 19, 2026, representing that he is satisfied that 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. Respondent’s Response to Motion at ECF No. 59. On May 20, 2026, Petitioner filed a reply to Respondent’s Response requesting that the amount of fees and costs in the Motion be awarded. ECF No. 60.

The rates requested for attorney work performed through 2025 are reasonable and consistent with our prior determinations and will therefore be awarded herein. Petitioner requests the rate of $498.00 for work performed in 2026 by attorney Elizabeth Vitt. This represents a rate increase of $38.00 from the previous year. I find the requested rate increase to be reasonable and it is hereby awarded herein.

Regarding the time billed, I note this case required additional briefing regarding entitlement. See Motion for Ruling on the Record with Regard to Entitlement, filed Aug. 19, 2024, ECF No. 40; Petitioner’s Reply to Respondents’ Response, filed Oct. 28, 2024, ECF No. 43. Petitioners’ counsel expended approximately 6.0 hours drafting the entitlement brief and 11.0 hours drafting the responsive brief for a combined total of 17.0 hours. ECF No. 58-1 at 9-10. I find this amount of time to be reasonable and will award the attorney’s fees requested. And all time billed to the matter was also reasonably incurred.

Petitioner has otherwise provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 58-2 at 2-12. 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. I award a total of $37,972.37 (representing $35,774.90 in fees plus $2,197.47 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. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

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