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Attorney's Fees and Costs Awarded in Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Case

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— 1 min read

Sandra L. Abbott, a petitioner under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, has been awarded compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration following a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine she received on December 27, 2019. The United States Court of Federal Claims has issued a decision on attorney's fees and costs, finding that the rates requested by attorney Paul D. Bekman for work performed in 2023, 2024, and 2025 are reasonable and consistent with prior determinations. The court has also awarded the requested costs in full, totaling $14,200.98.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United States Court of Federal Claims has awarded attorney's fees and costs to Sandra L. Abbott, a petitioner under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, in the total amount of $14,200.98.
  • The awarded amount consists of $11,623.50 in fees and $2,577.48 in costs.
  • Attorney Paul D. Bekman was awarded his requested rates for work performed in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including $455.00 for 2023, $465.00 for 2024, and $475.00 for 2025.
  • The court found the rates and time billed to the matter to be reasonably incurred, and the costs requested were supported by documentation and awarded in full.
  • The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs for successful claimants.
  • The court's decision was signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on September 15, 2025.

Statistics:

  • Total award amount: $14,200.98
  • Fees awarded: $11,623.50
  • Costs awarded: $2,577.48
  • Rates awarded for services performed in 2023: $455.00
  • Rates awarded for services performed in 2024: $465.00
  • Rates awarded for services performed in 2025: $475.00

Sources:

  • [1] United States Court of Federal Claims, Case No. 22-1824V, Sandra L. Abbott v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dec. 15, 2025.
  • [2] National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
  • [3] Vaccine Rule 18(b).
  • [4] E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018).

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