VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01550 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01550 Petitioner: Meagan Brown Schmidt Filed: 2021-07-07 Decided: 2024-07-24 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-09-26 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 105000 AI-assisted case summary: Meagan Schmidt filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on September 26, 2018. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, that a vaccine caused her injury, or that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation as her decision, awarding Meagan Schmidt a lump sum of $105,000.00. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the parties stipulated to the award amount, settling all liability and damages claims. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01550-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-07-24 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/21/2024) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1550V MEAGAN BROWN SCHMIDT, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 21, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On July 7, 2021, Meagan Brown Schmidt 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”) following an influenza vaccination she received on September 26, 2018. Amended Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at June 20, 2024, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine-related injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶ 10; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that a vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on June 20, 2024, 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-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $105,000.00 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-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 3 of 7 JN THE UNITED STA T ES COURT OF FEDERAL CLA JMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) MEAGAN SCHMIDT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-lSSOV V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEAL TH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Meagan Schmidt ("petitioner"), filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ('flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I0 0.3(a) 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on September 26, 2018. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition 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 alleged injury. Case 1:21-vv-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that a vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. 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 tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$10S,000.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(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-21(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. I 0. 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-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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's 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 or 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-10 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 vaccination administered on September 26, 2018, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 7, 2021, and the amended petition filed on or about April 11, 2023, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-l550V. 14. 1f 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-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 6 of 7 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the tenns of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confotmity with a decision that is in complete confonnity with the tenns of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. 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. 17. 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 injury or any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Jnjury 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 4 Case 1:21-vv-01550-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/24/24 Page 7 of 7 Respecd'ul1y su)wnittwt, PETITIONU.: il/.ea'/f,J:~ MEAG HMJOT 1 - AUl1IOIU1ED REPRSENTA1 1VE ~ n=ei OF 11IE AlTORNff GENERAL: ~ PUC LPEARLMAN Deputy Direclor 1717 K Street NW. Suite 900 Torts Brm:b Washington. OC 20006 CivilDms:ioa Tel: (202) 77S-117t U.S. ~ofJ ustice Email: ~le.com P.O. Box 146 Becljamin FnmtJ.in Scatioa Washington. DC 20044-0146 AU111ORJZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR Of' THE SECUTA RY Of' HEALT B RF.SPONDENT: AND BUMAN SERVICF.S: =:t=t Jeffrey S. Beach -S ~~ for CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Dirfflor, Divisico of Injury Compensation P."19m,.s "Jj Health Sy~ 8umw .S.Da.ciJDCIII Health Resources and Service, P.O. x 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin SWion U.S. Dq,mttnffll of Health Washington. 0C 20044-0146 and Human Services Tel: (202)616-3655 S600 Fishers Lane. 08W-2SA Emai1: j~.gov Roclcvitle. MD 20857 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01550-cl-extra-10734688 Date issued/filed: 2024-07-24 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10268098 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1550V MEAGAN BROWN SCHMIDT, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 21, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1 On July 7, 2021, Meagan Brown Schmidt 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”) following an influenza vaccination she received on September 26, 2018. Amended Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at June 20, 2024, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine-related injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶ 10; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that a vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on June 20, 2024, 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 $105,000.00 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 JN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLA JMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) MEAGAN SCHMIDT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-lSSOV V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Meagan Schmidt ("petitioner"), filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ('flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a) 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on September 26, 2018. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition 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 alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that a vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. 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 of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$10S,000.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(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-21(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. I 0. 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 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's 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 or 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-10 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 vaccination administered on September 26, 2018, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 7, 2021, and the amended petition filed on or about April 11, 2023, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-l550V. 14. 1f 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 special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the tenns of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confotmity with a decision that is in complete confonnity with the tenns of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. 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. 17. 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 injury or any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Jnjury 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 4 Respecd'ul1y su)wnittwt, PETITIONU.: il/.ea'/f,J:~ MEAG 1 HMJOT ~ n=ei - AUl1IOIU1ED REPRSENTA11VE OF 11IE AlTORNff GENERAL: ~ 1717 K Street NW. Suite 900 PUC LPEARLMAN Deputy Direclor Torts Brm:b Washington. OC 20006 CivilDms:ioa Tel: (202) 77S-117t U.S. ~ o f Justice Email: ~ l e . c o m P.O. Box 146 Becljamin FnmtJ.in Scatioa Washington. DC 20044-0146 AU111ORJZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR Of' THE SECUTARY Of' HEALTB RF.SPONDENT: AND BUMAN SERVICF.S: Jeffrey S. =:t=t Beach -S ~~ for CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Dirfflor, Divisico of Injury Compensation P."19m,.s "Jj Health S y ~ 8umw .S.Da.ciJDCIII Health Resources and Service, P.O. x 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin SWion U.S. Dq,mttnffll of Health Washington. 0C 20044-0146 and Human Services Tel: (202)616-3655 S600 Fishers Lane. 08W-2SA Emai1: j ~ . g o v Roclcvitle. MD 20857 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01550-cl-extra-10819781 Date issued/filed: 2025-03-10 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10353193 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1550V MEAGAN BROWN SCHMIDT, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: January 28, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On July 7, 2021, Meagan Brown Schmidt 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 following an influenza vaccination she received on September 26, 2018. Petition, ECF No. 1. On June 21, 2024, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 34. 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 $27,623.04 (representing $26,191.00 in fees plus $1,432.04 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed September 16, 2024. ECF No. 39. Furthermore, Petitioner filed a signed statement representing that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at 2. Respondent reacted to the motion on September 17, 2024, indicating 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. 40. Petitioner filed a reply requesting an award of fees and costs as indicated in the Motion. ECF No. 41. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. The rates requested for work performed through the end of 2024 are reasonable and consistent with our prior determinations, and will therefore be adopted. However, a few of the tasks performed by attorneys in this matter are more properly billed using a paralegal rate. 3 “Tasks that can be completed by a paralegal or a legal assistant should not be billed at an attorney’s rate.” Riggins v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. 99-382V, 2009 WL 3319818, at *21 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. June 15, 2009). “[T]he rate at which such work is compensated turns not on who ultimately performed the task but instead turns on the nature of the task performed.” Doe/11 v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. XX-XXXXV, 2010 WL 529425, at *9 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Jan. 29, 2010). Although these billing entries are reasonable, they must be charged at a reduced rate comparable to that of a paralegal. Application of the foregoing reduces the amount of fees to be awarded by $372.80. 4 Petitioner has otherwise provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 39-2. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full. 3 Entries considered paralegal in nature include drafting and filing basic documents such as an exhibit list, PAR Questionnaire, notice of f iling exhibit list, statement of completion, cover sheet, joint notices not to seek review, and f iling medical records. See billing entries dated: 11/16/21 (three entries); 6/21/23. ECF No. 39. 4 This amount consists of ($420 - $172 = $248 x 1.20 hrs.) + (553 - $177 = $376 x 0.20 hrs.) = $372.80. 2 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 $27,250.24 (representing $25,818.20 in fees plus $1,432.04 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. 5 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 5 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. 3