In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-273V
Filed: November 14, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
GEORGIA MURDOCK, *
* Special Master Gowen
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation;
v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Danielle A. Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Michael P. Milmoe, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
On April 19, 2013, Georgia Murdock (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006).
Petitioner alleged that as a result of receiving a Tetanus-diptheria-acellular-pertussis (“Tdap”)
and influenza (“Flu”) vaccines on February 25, 2012, she developed Guillain Barre Syndrome
(“GBS”). Petition at ¶¶ 1, 4. On June 27, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation in which they
agreed to an award of compensation to petitioner. On that same day, the undersigned issued a
1
Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1
Decision adopting the parties’ stipulation for an award. See Decision on J. Stip., filed June 27,
2014.
On November 13, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys’ fees and
costs. Petitioner requests a total award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $16,662.25.
Respondent does not object. See Stip. of Fact Concerning Attorneys’ Fes and Costs at ¶ 1. In
accordance with General Order #9, petitioner represents that she did not personally incur any
costs related to this proceeding. Id. at ¶ 2.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. §
300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of the parties’ stipulation, the undersigned GRANTS
the request for approval and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.
Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:
(1) in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney,
Danielle A. Strait, of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, in the amount of $16,662.25.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Thomas L. Gowen
Thomas L. Gowen
Special Master
3
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2