VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01398 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01398 Petitioner: Angela Saporito Filed: 2021-05-26 Decided: 2025-01-13 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-06 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 75000 AI-assisted case summary: On May 26, 2021, Angela Saporito filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. She alleged residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that Ms. Saporito sustained a Table SIRVA, denied that the alleged shoulder injury was caused in fact by the flu vaccine, and denied that the flu vaccine caused any other injury or her current condition. The public stipulation decision does not describe onset, shoulder examinations, imaging, injections, therapy, surgery, work effects, or daily-life impact. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation on January 13, 2025. Ms. Saporito received $75,000.00 as a lump sum payable directly to her for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. A later August 21, 2025 decision addressed attorneys' fees and costs only. Theory of causation field: Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine left shoulder October 6, 2019; alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table SIRVA, causation, and sequelae; public merits text lacks clinical chronology. Award $75,000.00 lump sum. SM Corcoran January 13, 2025. Petition filed May 26, 2021. Attorney: David M. Paris. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01398-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-02-25 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/13/2025 ) regarding 47 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1398V - ANGELA SAPORITO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: January 13, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. David M. Paris, Piro, Zinna, et al., Nutley, NJ, for Petitioner. Benjamin Patrick Warder, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On May 26, 2021, Angela Saporito 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at January 13, 2025, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 2; Stipulation at ¶4. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denies that petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on January 13, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 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 Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ANGELA SAPORITO, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 2 l-l 398V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Angela Saporito, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to -34 ("Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table ("Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denies that petitioner's alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled, and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofj udgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 I (a)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. 10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396, et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 2 Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorney fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner, as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions, causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 0, et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccine administered on or about October 6, 2019, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on May 26, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 2 l-l 398V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 3 Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 6 of 7 15. If the Chief Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. I 6. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. I 7. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION I I I I I I I I 4 Case 1:21-vv-01398-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/25/25 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: oJUJtJ A' 1 ~~ ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: t1c-J ~ ? ~ DAViDM.PARIS, ESQ. HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo, LLC Deputy Director 360 Passaic Av enue Torts Branch Nutley, NJ 07110 Civil Division (973) 661-0710 U.S. Department of Justice dparis@pirozinnalaw.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMANs SE RVICES: Jeffrey Digitally signed by • Jeffrey S. Beach -S B h S Date:2024.12.17 eac ~ 09:21:07-05'00' for ~~ -£~4 CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH BENMINP. WARDER Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 532-5464 Rockville, MD 20857 Benjamin.P.Warder@usdoj.gov Dated: 01/ 13/ Zo2s 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01398-cl-extra-10805495 Date issued/filed: 2025-02-25 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10338907 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1398V - ANGELA SAPORITO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: January 13, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. David M. Paris, Piro, Zinna, et al., Nutley, NJ, for Petitioner. Benjamin Patrick Warder, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On May 26, 2021, Angela Saporito 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at January 13, 2025, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 2; Stipulation at ¶4. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denies that petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on January 13, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ANGELA SAPORITO, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 2 l-l 398V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Angela Saporito, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to -34 ("Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table ("Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denies that petitioner's alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled, and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofjudgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S .C. § 300aa-21(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofjudgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 I (a)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. 10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396, et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 2 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorney fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner, as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions, causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 0, et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccine administered on or about October 6, 2019, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on May 26, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 2 l- l 398V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 3 15. If the Chief Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. I 6. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. I 7. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION I I I I I I I I 4 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: A' 1 ~~ oJUJtJ ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: t1c-J ~?~ DAViDM.PARIS, ESQ. HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo, LLC Deputy Director 360 Passaic Avenue Torts Branch Nutley, NJ 07110 Civil Division (973) 661-0710 U.S. Department of Justice dparis@pirozinnalaw.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Jeffrey s Digitally signed by • Jeffrey S. Beach -S Date:2024.12.17 Beac h ~ S 09:21:07-05'00' CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH for ~ ~ -£~4 BENMINP. WARDER Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 532-5464 Rockville, MD 20857 Benjamin.P.Warder@usdoj.gov Dated: 01 / 13/ Zo2s 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01398-cl-extra-11142696 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10676109 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1398V ANGELA SAPORITO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: August 21, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. David M. Paris, Piro, Zinna, et al., Nutley, NJ, for Petitioner. Benjamin Patrick Warder, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On May 26, 2021, Angela Saporito 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine in her left shoulder on October 6, 2019. Petition, ECF No. 1. On January 13, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 47. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other inf ormation, 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 redact such material f rom public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $18,462.19 (representing $17,225.00 in fees plus $1,237.19 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed March 28, 2025. ECF No. 52. Furthermore, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. ECF No. 52. Respondent reacted to the motion on April 8, 2025, reporting that he is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case, but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Motion at 2-4, ECF No. 54. Petitioner filed no reply thereafter. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s requests and find a reduction in the amount of fees to be awarded appropriate, for the reasons stated below. ANALYSIS The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to successful claimants. Section 15(e). Counsel must submit fee requests that include contemporaneous and specific billing records indicating the service performed, the number of hours expended on the service, and the name of the person performing the service. See Savin v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 85 Fed. Cl. 313, 316-18 (2008). Counsel should not include in their fee requests hours that are “excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.” Saxton v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 3 F.3d 1517, 1521 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 434 (1983)). It is “well within the special master’s discretion to reduce the hours to a number that, in [her] experience and judgment, [is] reasonable for the work done.” Id. at 1522. Furthermore, the special master may reduce a fee request sua sponte, apart from objections raised by respondent and without providing a petitioner notice and opportunity to respond. See Sabella v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 86 Fed. Cl. 201, 209 (2009). A special master need not engage in a line-by-line analysis of petitioner’s fee application when reducing fees. Broekelschen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 102 Fed. Cl. 719, 729 (2011). The Petitioner “bears the burden of establishing the hours expended, the rates charged, and the expenses incurred.” Wasson v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 24 Cl. Ct. 482, 484 (1991). The Petitioner “should present adequate proof [of the attorney’s fees and costs sought] at the time of the submission.” Wasson, 24 Cl. Ct. at 484 n.1. Petitioner’s counsel “should make a good faith effort to exclude from a fee request hours that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary, just as a lawyer in private 2 practice ethically is obligated to exclude such hours from his fee submission.” Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434. ATTORNEY FEES Petitioner requests that I apply the hourly rate of $500.00 for work performed by her attorney, David M. Paris, in the 2020-25 timeframe. This rate requires adjustment for time billed in 2020. Given his 1978 New Jersey bar date, Mr. Paris had approximately 42 years of experience as of 2020, placing him in the OSM Fee Schedule range of attorneys with 31+ years of experience 3. As such, his proposed rate of $500.00 is $16.00 dollars greater than the maximum amount allowed for any Program attorney in the year 2020, based on the applicable range as set forth in the Schedules. Instead, I find the hourly rate of $484.00 to be more appropriate for work performed by Mr. Paris in 2020. Application of the foregoing reduces the amount of fees to be awarded herein by $101.12. 4 For work performed in the 2021-25 timeframe, however, I find attorney Paris’s proposed rate of $500.00 reasonable and within the applicable Fee Schedule ranges for his level of experience and shall be awarded. And all time billed to the matter was otherwise reasonably incurred. ATTORNEY COSTS Like attorneys’ fees, a request for reimbursement of attorneys’ costs must be reasonable. Perreira v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 27 Fed. Cl. 29, 34 (Fed. Cl. 1992). I have reviewed the requested costs. Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for most of the claimed costs, except for $129.24 in costs that have not been substantiated with the required supporting documentation, such as an invoice for each cost claimed or proof of payment. ECF No. 52 at 11-31. I will nevertheless reimburse these costs in full, since the unsubstantiated amount is not particularly large. But counsel should note that any future requests for costs may result in a curtailed (or denied) award for failure to include the required supporting documentation. See 3 The Vaccine Program’s Attorney’s Forum Hourly Rate Fee Schedules are available on the U.S. Court of Federal Claim’s website: https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/osm-attorneys-forum-hourly-rate-fee-schedules. 4 This amount consists of reducing attorney Paris’s hourly rate f or year 2020 and is calculated as follows: ($500 - $484 = $16 x 6.32 hours billed in 2020) = $101.12. 3 Guidelines for Practice Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program at 72- 74 (emphasis added). 5 CONCLUSION The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT, in part, Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs in the total amount of $18,361.07 (representing $17,123.88 in fees plus $1,237.19 in costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in accordance with this Decision. 6 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 5 The guidelines f or Practice Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program can be f ound at: https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/guidelines-practice-under-national-vaccine-injury-compensation-program 6 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by f iling a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 4