VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00426
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00426
Petitioner: Hattie M. Jefferies
Filed: 2014-08-21
Decided: 2014-09-11
Vaccine: 
Vaccination date: 
Condition: 
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 15500

AI-assisted case summary:
Hattie M. Jefferies filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. On August 21, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs. The respondent did not object to the requested amount of $15,500.00 for attorneys' fees and costs. The stipulation also noted that the petitioner incurred no personal litigation costs. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen found that the petition was brought in good faith and had a reasonable basis, making an award for fees and costs appropriate under 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). The proposed amount was deemed reasonable and appropriate. The Special Master awarded a total of $15,500.00, payable jointly to the petitioner and her counsel, Edward I. Zwilling, for petitioner's attorneys' fees and costs. The clerk of the court was directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision. This decision was issued on September 11, 2014, following a prior decision on July 22, 2014, which adopted the parties' stipulation. The public decision does not describe the specific vaccine(s) administered, the date(s) of vaccination, the alleged condition, or the clinical story.

Theory of causation field:
The public text does not describe the theory of causation. The case involves a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $15,500.00, awarded to Hattie M. Jefferies and her counsel, Edward I. Zwilling, by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen on September 11, 2014. The respondent did not object to the award. The petition was found to have been brought in good faith with a reasonable basis. The specific vaccine(s), vaccination date(s), alleged condition, and any medical experts or evidence related to causation are not detailed in the provided public text.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00426-0
Date issued/filed: 2014-09-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/21/2014) regarding 52 DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.) (mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:12-vv-00426-UNJ Document 55 Filed 09/11/14 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 12-426V
Filed: August 21, 2014
(Not to be published)
* * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HATTIE M. JEFFERIES, *
Petitioner, * Stipulation; Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
*
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
Respondent. *
* * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Edward I. Zwilling, Esq.,Swartz Roller & Zwilling, Birmingham, AL for petitioner.
Tara Kilfoyle, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1
Gowen, Special Master:
In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued
a Decision on July 22, 2014, adopting the parties’ stipulation filed on July 21, 2014. On
August 21, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys’ fees and costs. The
stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount of $15,500.00 that
petitioner is requesting. Additionally, pursuant to General Order #9, the stipulation
notes that petitioner incurred no personal litigation costs.
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,
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 $15,500.003 in
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision 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).
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

Case 1:12-vv-00426-UNJ Document 55 Filed 09/11/14 Page 2 of 2
the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel of
record, Edward I. Zwilling, for petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Thomas L. Gowen
Thomas L. Gowen
Special Master
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).