        In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-254V
                                      Filed: July 21, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
KELLY CARTER,                                     *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On February 23, 2016, Kelly Carter (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that she “developed severe
pain in her right shoulder and right arm” caused by the influenza vaccination she
received on November 4, 2014. Petition at 1. On June 24, 2016, the undersigned
issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on respondent’s proffer.
(ECF No. 18).

      On July 11, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF
No. 22). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $11,463.50 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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 $590.24 for a total amount of $12,053.74. Id. at 1. In
compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a signed statement indicating
petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. See Attachment 4 to Petitioner’s Motion
for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (ECF 22).

       On July 21, 2016, respondent filed a response stating respondent has no
objection to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No. 23). Specifically, respondent indicates she
“does not object to the overall amount sought, as it is not an unreasonable amount to
have been incurred for proceedings in this case to date.” Id. Respondent qualifies her
lack of objection indicating it “should not be construed as admission, concession, or
waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the number of hours billed, or the other litigation
related costs.” Id.

       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 $12,053.743 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel
Jeffrey S. Pop.

        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




3This 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.

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