VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00738 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00738 Petitioner: MICHAEL MULLIGAN Filed: 2015-07-16 Decided: 2017-07-13 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2012-07-23 Condition: brachial neuritis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 30845 AI-assisted case summary: Michael Mulligan filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered brachial neuritis as a result of receiving a Tdap vaccine on July 23, 2012. The parties later entered into a joint stipulation for compensation. On June 28, 2017, Mr. Mulligan filed a motion for attorneys' fees and costs, requesting $22,040.00 in fees and $8,805.21 in costs, for a total of $30,845.21. Respondent did not object to the motion. The Chief Special Master reviewed the billing records and found the request to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awarded $30,845.21 in attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Mr. Mulligan and his counsel. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00738-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-01-25 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/13/2017) regarding 44 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-00738-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/25/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-0738V Filed: July 13, 2017 UNPUBLISHED MICHAEL MULLIGAN, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Attorneys’ Fees and Costs Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. James K. C. Glober, Law Office of James Glober, P.A., Jacksonville, FL, for petitioner. Ann D. Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On July 16, 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 alleged that he suffered brachial neuritis as a result of receiving the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on July 23, 2012. On February 21, 2017, the undersigned issued a decision awarding compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ joint stipulation. (ECF No. 37.) On June 28, 2017, petitioner filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (ECF No. 41.) An amended motion was filed on July 12, 2017. (ECF No.43) Petitioner requests attorneys’ fees in the amount of $22,040.00 and attorneys’ costs in the amount of $8,805.21. (Id. at 2.) In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner filed a signed 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). Case 1:15-vv-00738-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/25/18 Page 2 of 2 statement indicating that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, the total amount requested is $30,845.21. On June 28, 2017, respondent filed a response stating respondent has no objection to petitioner’s motion. (ECF No. 42.) Respondent cautions, however, that his lack of objection “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 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 and the lack of opposition from respondent, the undersigned GRANTS petitioner’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. Accordingly, the undersigned awards $30,845.21,3 representing reimbursement for all attorneys' fees and costs, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel, James K. C. Glober. 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 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