Baiona v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-1032V Filed: September 15, 2016 Not for Publication ************************************* HANNAH BAIONA, * * Petitioner, * * Attorneys’ fees and costs decision; v. * respondent does not object * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************************* Elaine Whitfield Sharp, Marblehead, MA, for petitioner. Camille M. Collett, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1 On October 24, 2014, petitioner filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act”) alleging that she suffered chronic pain, abdominal pain, sacroiliitis, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and costochondritis as a result of her receipt of the Gardasil and influenza vaccines on October 25, 2011. On July 5, 2016, the undersigned issued a decision granting petitioner’s Motion for Judgment on the Record and dismissing the petition for failure to make a prima facie case of causation in fact. On September 4, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. Petitioner 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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. requests $10,324.65 in attorneys’ fees, $1,969.94 in attorneys’ costs, and $200.00 in personal costs for a total of $12,494.59. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement explaining that she paid $200.00 pursuing her claim. On September 14, 2016, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s application for attorneys’ fees and costs. Respondent explains that she does not object to the overall amount sought by petitioner. She further explains that respondent’s lack of objection “should not be construed as an admission, concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or the other litigation related costs.” Resp’t’s Resp. at 1. 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 request and the lack of opposition, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s application for attorneys’ fees and costs. Accordingly, the court awards: a. $12,294.59, representing attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Whitfield, Sharp & Sharp in the amount of $12,294.59; and b. $200.00, representing petitioner’s costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable to petitioner for $200.00. 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 15, 2016 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