        In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1227V
                                   Filed: December 15, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED
*********************************
LEA LYDON,                                        *
                                                  *
                         Petitioner,              *
v.                                                *
                                                  *        Attorneys’ Fees and Costs;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                               *        Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                                  *
                         Respondent.              *
                                                  *
****************************
Franklin Caldwell, Jr., Maglio, Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Douglas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.


                      DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On October 21, 2015, 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 she suffered a left shoulder injury as a result of
her October 10, 2014 influenza vaccination. Petition at 1-3. On June 28, 2016, the
undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on
respondent’s proffer to which petitioner agreed. (ECF No. 31).

      On November 18, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs.
(ECF No. 36). Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $17,178.40 and

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
attorneys’ costs in the amount of $958.62 for a total amount of $18,137.02. Id. at ¶¶ 3-
4, 9. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed statement indicating
she incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.3 See Exhibit 15, filed as an attachment to
Petitioner’s Motion (ECF No. 36).

        On November 22, 2016, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s motion. (ECF
No. 37). 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 she “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 December 2, 2016, petitioner filed a reply. (ECF No. 38). Petitioner
maintains she has provided “sufficient and complete evidence herein on the
reasonableness of her requested attorneys’ fees and her case costs.” Id. at 5.

      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 $18,137.024 as a lump
sum in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel F.
John Caldwell, Jr. Per petitioner’s request, the check Petitioner requests that the
check shall be forwarded to Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, 1605 Main Street, Suite
710, Sarasota, FL, 34236.

        The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.5



3 Additionally, in accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner
incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Petitioner’s Motion at ¶ 6.

4This 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).

5 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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