VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00813
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00813
Petitioner: David Helman
Filed: 2015-02-23
Decided: 2015-03-16
Vaccine: 
Vaccination date: 
Condition: 
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 87258

AI-assisted case summary:
David Helman filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. On February 5, 2015, he moved for an award of attorney fees and costs. The parties filed a stipulation on February 23, 2015, agreeing to the requested amount. The public decision does not describe the specific vaccine(s) or date(s) of vaccination, nor the alleged condition. The court found that the petition was brought in good faith and had a reasonable basis, making an award of fees and costs appropriate. Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell awarded a total of $87,258.33. This amount comprised a lump sum of $78,981.60 payable jointly to David Helman and his counsel, Hogan, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., for attorney fees and costs. An additional lump sum of $8,276.73 was payable directly to David Helman for his personal litigation costs. The clerk was ordered to enter judgment accordingly. Petitioner's counsel was Ronald C. Homer, and respondent's counsel was Justine E. Walters.

Theory of causation field:
The public decision does not describe the theory of causation, the specific vaccine(s) or date(s) of vaccination, or the alleged condition. The case resulted in a stipulation for attorney fees and costs. Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell awarded a total of $87,258.33, consisting of $78,981.60 for attorney fees and costs payable jointly to petitioner David Helman and his counsel, and $8,276.73 for Mr. Helman's personal litigation costs, payable directly to him. The decision was issued on March 16, 2015, following a petition filed on February 23, 2015. Petitioner's counsel was Ronald C. Homer, and respondent's counsel was Justine E. Walters.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00813-1
Date issued/filed: 2015-03-16
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/23/2015) regarding 61 DECISION Fees Stipulation. Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell. (mbl) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:10-vv-00813-UNJ Document 64 Filed 03/16/15 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 10-813V
Filed: February 23, 2015
For Publication
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DAVID HELMAN, *
*
Petitioner, * Attorney Fees and Costs;
v. * Stipulation
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald C. Homer, Hogan, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., MA, for petitioner.
Justine E. Walters, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
[hereinafter “the Program”],2 petitioner filed a motion for an award of attorney fees and
costs on February 5, 2015. On February 23, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact
Concerning Attorneys’ Fees and Costs [“Stipulation”]. Petitioner also filed a Notice on
February 23, 2015, which included a statement pursuant to General Order #9 setting
forth petitioner’s personal litigation costs. The Stipulation indicates that, after informal
discussions with respondent, petitioner now request an amount to which respondent
does not object.
I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate,
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, it will be
posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act
of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501
note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to
delete medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of
privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will delete such
material from public access.
2 The applicable statutory provisions defining the Program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq.
(2006).

Case 1:10-vv-00813-UNJ Document 64 Filed 03/16/15 Page 2 of 2
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems
reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award the total $87,258.333 as
follows:
 a lump sum of $78,981.60 in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner, David Helman, and petitioner’s counsel of record for
petitioner’s attorney fees and costs, and
 a lump sum of $8,276.73 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
David Helman, for his personal litigation costs.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
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, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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, HHS, 924
F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991).
4 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).
2