In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
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GABRIELA GOMEZ, *
* No. 13-557V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. * Filed: November 5, 2014
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ fees and costs; award
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * in the amount to which
* respondent does not object.
Respondent. *
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Jack D. Hull, II, Goldsmith & Hull, PC, Northridge, CA, for Petitioner;
Claudia Gangi, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON FEES AND COSTS1
On October 27, 2014, respondent filed a stipulation of fact concerning final
attorneys’ fees and costs in the above-captioned matter. Previously, petitioner
informally submitted a draft application to respondent for review requesting
$4,165.29 for attorneys’ fees and costs. Respondent found petitioner’s application
to be reasonable. The Court awards this amount.
On August 8, 2013, Gabriela Gomez filed a petition for compensation
alleging that the influenza vaccine, which she received on August 10, 2012, caused
her to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). Petitioner received compensation
based upon the parties’ stipulation. Decision, filed July 29, 2014. Because
petitioner received compensation, she is entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and
costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
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The E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b),
the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special
master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Petitioner seeks a total of $4,165.29 in attorneys’ fees and costs for her
counsel. Additionally, in compliance with General Order No. 9, petitioner states
that she incurred no out-of-pocket litigation expenses while pursuing this claim.
Respondent has no objection to the amount requested for attorneys’ fees and costs.
After reviewing the request, the Court awards the following:
A lump sum of $4,165.29 in the form of a check made payable to
petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Jack D. Hull, for attorneys’ fees
and other litigation costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
The Court thanks the parties for their cooperative efforts in resolving this
matter. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.
Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Mary Holmes, at (202) 357-
6353.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
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