In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 12-716V
Filed: March 9, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
SHERLINDA GRIFFIN, *
* Special Master Gowen
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation;
v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elizabeth M. Muldowney, Rawls, McNelis & Mitchell, P.C., Richmond, VA, for petitioner.
Lara A. Englund, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
On October 22, 2012, Sherlinda Griffin (“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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 28, 2009, she developed
peripheral neuropathy. Petition at Preamble. On September 15, 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 decision adopting the parties’ stipulation for an award. See Decision on J. Stip., filed
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
Sept. 15, 2014.
On March 5, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys’ fees and costs.
Petitioner requests a total award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $38,262.32.
Stipulation at ¶ 3. Respondent does not object. Id. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner
represents that she did not personally incur any costs in pursuit of this claim. Id.
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 petitioner’s motion, the undersigned GRANTS the
request for approval and payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.
Accordingly, an award should be made as follows:
in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and to petitioner’s attorney,
Elizabeth M. Muldowney, of Rawls, McNelis & Mitchell, in the amount of $38,262.32.
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