Kathleen Ann Mennenga v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 12-470V Filed: September 30, 2013 Not for publication ************************************* KATHLEEN ANN MENNENGA, * * Petitioner, * * Attorneys’ fees and costs decision; v. * an amount to which respondent does * not object SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************************* Sean F. Greenwood, Houston, TX, for petitioner. Heather L. Pearlman, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 On September 26, 2013, petitioner filed an application for attorneys’ fees and costs. Petitioner requests $8,694.50 in attorneys’ fees and costs, consisting of $8,340.00 in attorneys’ fees and $354.50 in attorneys’ costs. On September 30, 2013, respondent’s counsel informed the undersigned’s law clerk that respondent does not object to petitioner’s request for attorneys’ fees and costs. The undersigned finds petitioner’s request to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards $8,694.50, 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master's action in this case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims's website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such material from public access. representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Gauthier, Houghtaling, and Williams, LLP in the amount of $8,694.50. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: September 30, 2013 /s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2