         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-0057V
                                   Filed: September 28, 2018
                                         UNPUBLISHED


    DALE MACLAUGHLIN,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                                                             Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.


Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson, P.C., Richmond, VA, for petitioner.
Robert Paul Coleman, III, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On January 13, 2017, 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 alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
October 2, 2015. Petition at 1. On March 16, 2018, the undersigned issued a decision
awarding compensation to petitioner based on the respondent’s proffer. (ECF No. 36).

      On September 10, 2018, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
(ECF No. 42). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees and costs expended by counsel’s

1The  undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. 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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is required 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).

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).
prior firm, Rawls Law Group, PC, in the total amount of $18,081.54 and attorneys’ fees
and costs expended by counsel’s current firm, Sands Anderson, PC, in the total amount
of $5,486.90. Id. at 8. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed
statement indicating that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. (ECF No. 42-2
at 2). Thus, the total amount requested is $23,568.44.

        On September 21, 2018, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion.
(ECF No. 43). Respondent argues that “[n]either the Vaccine Act nor Vaccine Rule 13
contemplates any role for respondent in the resolution of a request by a petitioner for an
award of attorneys’ fees and costs.” Id. at 1. Respondent adds, however, that he “is
satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in
this case.” Id. at 2. Respondent “respectfully recommends that the Chief Special
Master exercise her discretion and determine a reasonable award for attorneys’ fees
and costs.” Id. at 3.

      On September 21, 2018, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 44). Petitioner
requests that the undersigned award the amount of attorneys’ fees and costs sought.

      The undersigned has reviewed the billing records submitted with petitioner’s
request. In the undersigned’s experience, the request appears reasonable, and the
undersigned finds no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates.

      The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
§ 15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request, the undersigned
GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.

        Accordingly, the undersigned awards the total of $23,568.44 3 as follows:

             •   A lump sum of $18,081.54, representing reimbursement for
                 attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to
                 petitioner and Rawls Law Group, PC; and

             •   A lump sum of $5,486.90, representing reimbursement for
                 petitioner’s costs, in the form of a check payable to petitioner and
                 petitioner’s counsel, Elizabeth M. Muldowney, Sands Anderson PC.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith. 4

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
IT IS SO ORDERED.

                        s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Nora Beth Dorsey
                        Chief Special Master




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