In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-1342V
Filed: May 12, 2017
UNPUBLISHED
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BRITTANY N. RIDGEWAY, *
*
Petitioner, *
v. *
* Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
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Douglas Lee Burdette, Burkett & Burdette, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Ann Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On October 14, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). On March 17, 2017, the undersigned issued a
decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer. (ECF No.
18).
On March 27, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 22). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $8,733.00 and attorneys’
1
Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it 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). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to
identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
costs in the amount of $913.04 for a total amount of $9,646.04. Id. at 2. In compliance
with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.
On March 28, 2017, respondent filed a response stating respondent has no
objection to the overall amount sought. (ECF No. 23).
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of opposition
from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and
costs.
Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $9,646.043 as a lump sum
in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Douglas Lee Burdette.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3
This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all
charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered.
Furthermore, § 15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging or collecting fees (including costs) that would
be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs.,
924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).
4
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2