In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-998V
Filed: August 4, 2015
(Not to be published)
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SHARI BUETOW, *
*
Petitioner, * Stipulation; Attorneys’ Fees & Costs
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
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Mark L. Krueger, Esq., Mark L. Krueger, Baraboo, WI for petitioner.
Gordon Shemin, Esq., U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1
Gowen, Special Master:
In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued a
decision adopting the parties’ joint stipulation of dismissal on July 31, 2015, and
dismissed the case for insufficient proof. On August 3, 2015, the parties filed a
Stipulation of Fact concerning attorneys’ fees and costs. Additionally, pursuant to
General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel asserted that petitioner incurred no personal
litigation costs in this matter. Id. at para. 2.
The parties’ stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount of
1
Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this
decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, 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)). In
accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete such material from public access.
2
The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2012).
$11,065.49 in attorneys’ fees and cost that petitioner is requesting.
I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate,
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems
reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award:
A lump sum of $11,065.49 in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner and petitioner’s counsel of record, Mark L. Krueger, Esq.,
for petitioner’s attorney fees and costs.
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
Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. See
Vaccine Rule 11(a).