Armstrong v. BNSF Railway Company
Filing
225
MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order Signed by the Honorable John Robert Blakey on 12/15/2016. Mailed notice(gel, )
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
Glen Armstrong, Sr.
Plaintiff,
v.
BNSF Railway Company,
Case No. 12-cv-7962
Judge John Robert Blakey
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Glen Armstrong, Sr. (“Plaintiff”) sued Defendant BNSF Railway
Company (“Defendant”) under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (“FRSA”), 49 U.S.C.
§ 20101, et seq.
On September 21, 2016, a jury returned a verdict in favor of
Defendant. The same day, the Clerk of Court entered a judgment against Plaintiff
directing that Defendant shall recover costs. Entered J. [194]. On October 12,
2016, Plaintiff made an oral motion to vacate the order of costs. Minute Entry
[198]. For the reasons explained below, Plaintiff’s motion is granted in part and
denied in part.
I.
Background
Plaintiff Glen Armstrong worked for Defendant as a conductor until his
termination in April 2011.
On October 4, 2012, Plaintiff filed suit against
Defendant in this Court alleging violations of the FRSA.
Specifically, Plaintiff
alleged that on May 4, 2010, while he was still employed by Defendant, his former
supervisor assaulted him at Chicago Union Station and injured his foot and knee.
Plaintiff claimed that in response, Defendant unlawfully delayed procuring
Plaintiff’s medical care and later terminated him in retaliation for filing an injury
report.
Plaintiff’s claims were first tried before a jury beginning on January 19, 2016.
Minute Entry [141]. On January 27, 2016, the Court declared a mistrial due to the
jury’s inability to reach a unanimous verdict. Minute Entry [148]. The case was
retried beginning on September 12, 2016. Minute Entry [182]. Following a nineday jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Defendant. Jury Verdict [193].
The same day, the Clerk of Court entered a judgment against Plaintiff directing
that Defendant shall recover costs. Entered J. [194]. On October 14, 2016, Plaintiff
filed a notice of appeal. Notice of Appeal [199].
On October 12, 2016, Plaintiff made an oral motion to vacate the order of
costs. Minute Entry [198]. On October 16, 2016, Defendant filed its bill of costs in
the amount of $31,054.23. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204].
II.
Analysis
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(1) provides that “[u]nless a federal
statute, these rules, or a court order provides otherwise, costs—other than
attorney’s fees—should be allowed to the prevailing party.” Rule 54(d) “creates a
strong presumption” that the prevailing party will recover costs. Stone v. City of
Indianapolis Pub. Utilities Div., 28 F. App’x 573, 579 (7th Cir. 2002).
This
presumption “is difficult to overcome, and the district court must award costs unless
it states good reasons for denying them.” Id.; Delta Air Lines, Inc. v. Colbert, 692
2
F.2d 489, 490 (7th Cir. 1982) (“[W]here Rule 54(d) applies, the prevailing party is
prima facie entitled to costs and the losing party must overcome that
presumption.”). Although a decision regarding costs is ultimately in the Court’s
discretion, such discretion “is narrowly confined.” Contreras v. City of Chicago, 119
F.3d 1286, 1295 (7th Cir. 1997).
Stated broadly, Plaintiff argues that Defendant’s bill of costs be vacated or
stayed because: (1) the FRSA creates a statutory exception to Rule 54(d)(1); and
(2) awarding costs would result in injustice to Plaintiff. The Court will address each
of Plaintiff’s objections in turn, followed by an analysis of the specific costs claimed.
A.
The FRSA Does Not Create An Exception To Rule 54(d)
To repeat, under Rule 54(d)(1), “[u]nless a federal statute, these rules, or a
court order provides otherwise, costs—other than attorney’s fees—should be allowed
to the prevailing party.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1). Plaintiff posits that the FRSA
constitutes one such statute.
The FRSA provides that “an employee prevailing in [an enforcement action]
shall be entitled to all relief necessary to make the employee whole.” 49 U.S.C. §
20109(e)(1) (emphasis added).
Such relief includes, inter alia, “compensatory
damages, including compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of
the discrimination, including litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable
attorney fees.”
Id. § 20109(e)(2)(C) (emphasis added).
Section 20109 is silent,
however, on a prevailing employer’s ability to cover costs.
The FRSA further states that enforcement actions shall be governed under
3
the Department of Labor complaint procedure set forth in 49 U.S.C. § 42121(b).
Pursuant to that section, if the Secretary of Labor determines that an FRSA
violation has occurred, then “at the request of the complainant,” the Secretary shall
assess against the violator “a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and
expenses (including attorneys’ and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred, as
determined by the Secretary of Labor, by the complainant for, or in connection
with,” the bringing of the complaint.
Id. § 42121(b)(3)(B)(iii) (emphasis added).
Once again, the statute omits any discussion of fees due to a prevailing employer,
with one exception: if the Secretary finds that a complaint “is frivolous or has been
brought in bad faith,” the Secretary may award the employer “a reasonable
attorney’s fee not exceeding $1,000.” Id. § 42121(b)(3)(C).
Plaintiff argues that the FRSA’s statutory framework should be interpreted
as an exception to the general rule stated in Rule 54(d)(1). Plaintiff’s theory is
foreclosed, however, by the Supreme Court’s decision in Marx v. Gen. Revenue
Corp., 133 S. Ct. 1166 (2013).
In Marx, the Supreme Court discussed the
application of Rule 54(d) to another remedial statutory regime, the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq. Id. at 1170. There, the
district court originally returned a verdict in favor of the defendant collection
agency and, pursuant to Rule 54(d)(1), ordered the plaintiff to pay costs. Id. at
1171. The plaintiff filed a motion to vacate the award, arguing that the FDCPA set
forth “the exclusive basis for awarding costs in FDCPA cases.” Id. The FDCPA,
like the FRSA, limits its discussion of costs owed to prevailing defendants solely to
4
frivolous cases: “On a finding by the court that an action under this section was
brought in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment, the court may award to the
defendant attorney’s fees reasonable in relation to the work expended and costs.”
15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a)(3). The district court rejected the plaintiff’s argument and
concluded that § 1692k(a)(3) did not displace the court’s discretion under Rule
54(d)(1). Marx, 133 S. Ct. at 1171.
On appeal, the Supreme Court began with an examination of Rule 54(d)(1)’s
text. The Court concluded that Rule 54(d)(1) “is straightforward”; it “codifies a
venerable presumption that prevailing parties are entitled to costs.” Id. at 1172.
The Court acknowledged that such a presumption “can be displaced by a federal
statute or a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure that ‘provides otherwise.’” Id. at 1173
(quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1)).
The Court declared, however, that a statute
“provides otherwise” only “if it is contrary to the Rule.” Id. (internal quotations
omitted). In other words, because Rule 54(d)(1) “grants district courts discretion to
award costs,” a statute is contrary to the Rule only “if it limits that discretion.” Id.
at 1174. Applying these principles to the FDCPA, the Court concluded that, while
§ 1692k(a)(3) discusses cases brought in bad faith, it is silent where bad faith is
absent. Id. According to the Court, this silence “does not displace the background
rule that a court has discretion to award costs.” Id.
The court further rejected the plaintiff’s claim that, by specifying that a court
may award attorney’s fees and costs when an action is brought in bad faith,
§ 1692k(a)(3) creates “a negative implication” that costs are unavailable in other
5
circumstances.
Id. at 1175.
The Court stated that the force of any negative
implication “depends on context.”
Id.
Analyzing “background presumptions
governing attorney’s fees and costs,” the Court explained that while Rule 54(d)
presumes a prevailing party is entitled to recover costs from the losing party, under
the longstanding “American Rule,” the opposite presumption exists with respect to
attorney’s fees.
Id.
The Court further recognized that, the American Rule
notwithstanding, “federal courts have inherent power to award attorney’s fees in a
narrow set of circumstances, including when a party brings an action in bad faith.”
Id.
Viewed through this context, the Court concluded that the FDCPA merely
codifies these background rules. Id. at 1176. The Court contrasted the FDCPA
with other statutes where Congress used explicit language to limit a court’s
discretion under Rule 54(d)(1). Id. at 1173, 1177 (citing 7 U.S.C. § 18(d)(1) (“The
petitioner shall not be liable for costs in the district court”); 28 U.S.C. § 1928 (“[N]o
costs shall be included in such judgment, unless the proper disclaimer has been
filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office”)).
While the Court
recognized that such express language is not necessary, its use “caution[ed] against
inferring a limitation in § 1692k(a)(3).” Id. at 1177. That is, Congress “knows how
to limit a court’s discretion under Rule 54(d)(1) when it so desires.” Id.
The Supreme Court’s reasoning in Marx applies here. See Leimkuehler v.
Am. United Life Ins. Co., 713 F.3d 905, 915 (7th Cir. 2013) (applying Marx to costs
related to ERISA actions). The FRSA, like the FDCPA, awards fees (specifically,
6
attorney’s fees) to prevailing employers only if a case “is frivolous or has been
brought in bad faith.” 49 U.S.C. § 42121(b)(3)(C). This however, simply confirms
“the background rule.” Marx, 133 S. Ct. at 1178. The FRSA’s silence regarding
costs in non-frivolous cases is not “contrary” to Rule 54(d)(1)’s presumption, nor
does it limit the Court’s discretion in that area. Id. at 1173-74.
Thus, pursuant to Marx and the relevant legal text at issue, this Court finds
that it may award costs to prevailing defendants in FRSA cases.
B.
Awarding Costs Does Not Result In Injustice To Plaintiff
Alternatively, Plaintiff argues that, due to Plaintiff’s financial resources and
pending appeal, awarding costs to Defendant would result in injustice. Pl.’s Resp.
Def.’s Bill of Costs [207] 10-11. The presumption that costs are to be awarded to the
prevailing party “may be overcome by a showing of indigency” in particular cases.
Badillo v. Cent. Steel & Wire Co., 717 F.2d 1160, 1165 (7th Cir. 1983).
Nevertheless, the “exception is a narrow one.” Rivera v. City of Chicago, 469 F.3d
631, 636 (7th Cir. 2006). Before determining that costs should be denied on the
basis of indigence, the Court must first “make a threshold factual finding that the
losing party is ‘incapable of paying the court-imposed costs at this time or in the
future.’” Id. at 635 (quoting McGill v. Faulkner, 18 F.3d 456, 459 (7th Cir. 1994)).
Second, the Court should consider “the amount of costs,” the “good faith of the losing
party,” and the “closeness and difficulty of the issues” raised by the case. Id. 1
Here, Plaintiff bears the burden of providing the Court with “sufficient
To the degree these additional case-specific considerations are relevant here, they are discussed
further below.
1
7
documentation to support” a finding that he is unable to pay costs both now and in
the future.
Id. (internal quotations omitted).
He has not done so.
Adequate
documentation “should include evidence in the form of an affidavit or other
documentary evidence of both income and assets, as well as a schedule of expenses.”
Id. Plaintiff only provided the Court his 2014 and 2015 federal income tax returns.
Pl.’s Resp. Def.’s Bill of Costs [207] Ex. A-B. These returns indicate that Plaintiff’s
gross annual income approximates $30,000. This evidence does not establish an
inability to pay now and in the future.
To the contrary, it demonstrates that
plaintiff is capable of working full time and earning an income. Moreover, Plaintiff
has failed to provide evidence as to other assets or expenses. Although Plaintiff’s
response claims that imposing costs would force Plaintiff into personal bankruptcy,
such conclusory statements by counsel are not evidence. United States v. Harris,
230 F.3d 1054, 1057 (7th Cir. 2000). Based upon the record presented, the Court is
not persuaded that Plaintiff is indigent, as that term is used within this context.
Indeed, Plaintiff managed to pay the filing fee necessary to commence this lawsuit
and did not seek leave to proceed in forma pauperis. In short, Plaintiff has not
demonstrated that he will be unable to pay costs now or in the future, and thus he
is not entitled to an indigence exception.
As a final matter, before assessing each individual claim for costs in turn, the
Court denies Plaintiff’s request that the Court stay any imposition of costs until the
disposition of his appeal. A district court may award costs even while a substantive
appeal is pending, and the record here fails to provide a sufficient basis for a stay.
8
Lorenz v. Valley Forge Ins. Co., 23 F.3d 1259, 1260 (7th Cir. 1994).
C.
Analysis of Specific Costs Claimed
To be compensable, “a particular expense must fall into one of the categories
of costs statutorily authorized for reimbursement.” Cefalu v. Vill. of Elk Grove, 211
F.3d 416, 427 (7th Cir. 2000). The specific costs subject to taxation are listed in 28
U.S.C. § 1920, which allows a “judge or clerk of any court of the United States” to
tax the following:
(1) Fees of the clerk and marshal;
(2) Fees for printed or electronically recorded transcripts
necessarily obtained for use in the case;
(3) Fees and disbursements for printing and witnesses;
(4) Fees for exemplification and the costs of making copies
of any materials where the copies are necessarily obtained
for use in the case;
(5) Docket fees under section 1923 of this title;
(6)
Compensation
of
court
appointed
experts,
compensation of interpreters, and salaries, fees, expenses,
and costs of special interpretation services under section
1828 of this title.
To be awarded, the costs must also be both reasonable and necessary. Rosas
v. City of Chicago, No. 09-cv-3605, 2010 WL 4038792, at *1 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 14, 2010)
(citing Northbrook Excess & Surplus Ins. Co. v. Procter & Gamble Co., 924 F.2d 633,
642 (7th Cir. 1991)).
Defendant seeks to recover a total of $31,054.23. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 2.
Defendant’s requests are subdivided as follows:
9
Type of Cost
Deposition Transcripts
Daily Trial Transcripts
Printing Fees
Witness Fees
Exemplification Fees
Total
Amount Requested
$9,435.86
$5,410.85
$6,538.17
$5,404.58
$4,264.77
$31,054.23
The Court addresses each expense category below.
1.
Deposition Transcripts
Defendant seeks to recover $9,435.86 for costs related to twenty depositions
taken in the case. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 1. Deposition costs are authorized under
§ 1920(2). Cengr v. Fusibond Piping Sys., Inc., 135 F.3d 445, 454 (7th Cir. 1998).
The cost of a transcript may be taxed, but the cost “shall not exceed the regular copy
rate as established by the Judicial Conference of the United States.” Local Rule
54.1(b) (N.D. Ill.). Additionally, court reporter appearance fees may be awarded,
“but the fees shall not exceed the published rates on the Court website.” Id. At the
time of the depositions in this case, the original page rate in effect was $3.65 per
page. United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Transcript Rates,
https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/Pages.aspx?rsp2kxYIAI6Z3skP0PESA+q3bXKkfRyo
(last visited December 6, 2016). The court reporter attendance fee equaled $110 for
one half-day (4 hours or less), and $220 for a full day. Id.
The cost of video recorded depositions may also be taxed, provided it is
reasonable and necessary. Little v. Mitsubishi Motors N. Am., Inc., 514 F.3d 699,
702 (7th Cir. 2008). Recordings made merely for the convenience of the requesting
10
attorney, however, may not be taxed.
Merix Pharm. Corp. v. Clinical Supplies
Mgmt., Inc., 106 F. Supp. 3d 927, 943 (N.D. Ill. 2015), appeal dismissed (Sept. 21,
2015).
Analyzing within this framework, the Court finds the following amounts to be
proper as to each of the claimed depositions.
(1)
Brian Weaver. The Court awards $227.70 for the
original transcript and $40.00 court reporter attendance fee, but denies the $22.50
requested for “Witness Read and Sign Services” and $19.50 for “Shipping &
Handling.” See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. A at 2.
(2)
Cederick Fuller. The Court awards $243.60 for
the original transcript, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf) via EMail.” Id. at 3.
(3)
Christopher Motley. The Court awards $271.25
for the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 4.
(4)
Clayton Johanson (December 13, 2013).
The
Court awards $406.70 for the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00
requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 5.
(5)
Clayton Johanson (April 25, 2014). The Court
awards $298.55 for the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00
requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 6.
11
(6)
David Gibson. The Court awards $352.18 for the
original transcript, exhibits, and court reporter attendance fee. Id. at 7.
(7)
David Leahy. The Court awards $346.50 for the
original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $30.00 requested for “E-Tran-(.ptx &
.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 8.
(8)
Duncan Brown. The Court awards $189.26 for
the original transcript and exhibits. Id. at 9.
(9)
Foster Peterson. The Court awards $394.80 for
the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 10.
(10)
Glen Armstrong (Transcript).
The Court
awards $1,594.80 for the original transcript and exhibits and $220.00 for a full day
court reporter attendance fee. The Court denies the requested attendance fee above
the allowable rate (totaling $101.50), as well as the $22.50 for “Witness Read and
Sign Services” and $29.50 for “Shipping & Handling.” Id. at 11.
(11)
Glen Armstrong (Video). Given that Defendant
obtained a written transcript, the Court finds that the video recording of Glen
Armstrong’s October 18, 2013 deposition was a matter of convenience, not necessity.
See Merix Pharm. Corp., 106 F. Supp. 3d at 943. Therefore, the Court denies the
$1,159.50 requested for the video. Id. at 12.
(12)
Jamie Williams. The Court awards $385.25 for
the original transcript and exhibits and $25.00 court reporter attendance fee, but
12
denies the requested $263.68 Expedited Fee, $25.00 “Witness Read and Sign
Services” and $24.50 “Shipping & Handling.” Id. at 13.
(13)
James Hurlburt. The Court awards $189.27 for
the original transcript and exhibits. Id. at 9.
(14)
John Nelson. The Court awards $257.25 for the
original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf)
via E-Mail.” Id. at 14.
(15)
Julie Bose.
The Court awards $338.85 for the
original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf)
via E-Mail.” Id. at 15.
(16)
Matthew Igoe. The Court awards $212.20 for the
original transcript and exhibits. Id. at 16.
(17)
Michael Uselding. The Court awards $172.75 for
the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 17.
(18)
Randy McMahan (November 26, 2013).
The
Court awards $297.15 for the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $15.00
requested for “E-Tran-(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 18.
(19)
Randy McMahan (June 5, 2014).
The Court
awards $135.10 for the original transcript and exhibits, but denies the $30.00
requested for “E-Tran-(.ptx & .pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 19.
13
(20)
Sheena Williams. The Court awards $179.35 for
the original transcript and exhibits and $70.00 court reporter attendance fee. Id. at
20.
(21)
Timothy Merriweather (May 14, 2014).
The
Court awards 107 transcript pages at $3.65 per page, for a total of $390.55. The
Court denies the requested transcript fee above the allowable rate (totaling $5.35).
The Court awards $13.65 for exhibits, but denies the $15.00 requested for “E-Tran(.pdf) via E-Mail.” Id. at 21.
(22)
Timothy Merriweather (November 19, 2015).
Given that Defendant did not obtain a written transcript, the Court finds that the
video recording of Timothy Merriweather’s November 19, 2015 deposition was a
matter of necessity, not convenience. See Merix Pharm. Corp., 106 F. Supp. 3d at
943. Therefore, the Court awards $300.00 for the video. Id. at 22.
(23)
Torrence LeSure. The Court awards $271.40 for
the original transcript and exhibits. Id. at 24.
In sum, the Court awards the following deposition transcript costs:
Witness
Brian Weaver
Cederick Fuller
Christopher Motley
Clayon Johanson
(December 13, 2013)
Clayton Johanson
(April 25, 2014)
David Gibson
David Leahy
Duncan Brown
Foster Peterson
Amount Requested
$309.70
$258.60
$286.25
$421.70
Amount Awarded
$267.70
$243.60
$271.25
$406.70
$313.55
$298.55
$352.18
$376.50
$189.26
$409.80
$352.18
$346.50
$189.26
$394.80
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Glen Armstrong
(Transcript)
Glen Armstrong
(Video)
Jamie Williams
James Hurlburt
John Nelson
Julie Bose
Matthew Igoe
Michael Uselding
Randy McMahan
(November 26, 2013)
Randy McMahan
(June 5, 2014)
Sheena Williams
Timothy Merriweather
(May 14, 2014)
Timothy Merriweather
(November 19, 2015)
Torrence LeSure
Total
2.
$1,968.30
$1,814.80
$1,159.50
$0
$723.43
$189.27
$272.25
$353.85
$212.20
$187.75
$312.15
$410.25
$189.27
$257.25
$338.85
$212.20
$172.75
$297.15
$165.10
$135.10
$249.35
$424.55
$249.35
$404.20
$300.00
$300.00
$271.40
$9,435.86
$271.40
$7823.11
Daily Trial Transcripts
In addition to deposition transcripts, Defendant requests $4,745.00 for
transcripts of the January trial and $665.85 for transcripts of selected portions of
the September trial (the direct examination of Plaintiff and cross-examination of
Christopher Motley), totaling $5,410.85. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 5. The cost of
daily trial transcripts “is reasonable and necessary when they are necessary for,
among other things, direct and cross examination of witnesses and to respond to the
opposing party’s motions.” Vigortone Ag Prods., Inc. v. PM Ag Prods., Inc., No. 99cv-7049, 2004 WL 1899882 at *5 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 12, 2004).
The cost of daily
transcripts has also been awarded where the trial was “lengthy and complex.”
Majeske v. City of Chicago, 218 F.3d 816, 825 n.3 (7th Cir. 2000).
15
Defendant’s daily trial transcripts costs are at or below the allowable rate.
Compare Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. B with United States District Court, Northern
District
of
Illinois,
Transcript
Rates,
https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/
Pages.aspx?rsp2kxYIAI6Z3skP0PESA+q3bXKkfRyo (last visited December 6, 2016).
Defendant asserts that it used daily trial transcripts to: (1) record the court’s oral
rulings during trial; (2) prepare its motions for directed verdict and closing
argument; and (3) prepare direct examination and cross examination questions.
The Court finds that such uses are reasonable and necessary and therefore awards
the $5,410.85 requested for daily trail transcripts.
3.
Printing Fees
A prevailing party may recover costs for copies that were “necessary for use
in the case.” 28 U.S.C. § 1920(4). This includes “costs for copies related to discovery
and copies of pleadings, motions, and memoranda submitted to the court, but it does
not include copies made solely for the convenience of counsel.” Se-Kure Controls,
Inc. v. Vanguard Prod. Grp., Inc., 873 F. Supp. 2d 939, 947 (N.D. Ill. 2012). While
the prevailing party must “provide the best breakdown [of copying costs] obtainable
from retained records,” it is “not required to submit a bill of costs containing a
description so detailed as to make it impossible economically to recover
photocopying costs,” Northbrook Excess & Surplus Ins. Co. v. Procter & Gamble Co.,
924 F.2d 633, 644 (7th Cir. 1991). Where a party “fails to substantiate all of the
costs it claims were necessary and reasonable, the Court will ‘reduce the costs to the
level supported by [the party’s] proof—even if that is zero.’” Se-Kure Controls, 873
16
F. Supp. 2d at 947 (quoting Trading Techs. Int’l, Inc. v. eSpeed, Inc., 750 F. Supp. 2d
962, 969 (N.D.Ill. 2010)).
a)
General In-House Photocopying and Printing Costs
Defendant requests $3,042.80 in “in-house” photocopying and printing costs.
Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 5-6. Defendant’s submissions provide the date,
bill order, and total price for each of its copying fees. See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204]
Ex. C. From this, “it is clear that [Defendant] has expended the claimed amount of
copying costs.” Trading Techs. Int’l, Inc., 750 F. Supp. 2d at 979. Defendant’s inhouse invoice, however, makes “no reference to what documents were copied and
how many copies were made.” Id. Such information is “needed to permit the Court
to ascertain for itself whether the copying costs were necessary or were, for
example, extra copies made for the sake of convenience.” Id. (internal quotations
omitted).
Where the prevailing party has failed to provide sufficient information, courts
in this district have either reduced copying costs by a substantial percentage, see,
e.g. Engate, Inc. v. Esquire Deposition Servs. LLC, No. 01-cv-6204, 2006 WL 695650,
at *6 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 13, 2006) (fifty percent reduction); Allscrips Pharm., Inc. v.
Hazuka, No. 96-cv-1821, 1998 WL 1110062, at *1 (N.D. Ill. June 10, 1998) (twentyfive percent reduction), or denied copying costs entirely, see, e.g. Telular Corp. v.
Mentor Graphics Corp., No. 01-cv-431, 2006 WL 1722375, at *4-*5 (N.D. Ill. June
16, 2006); Bilal v. BP Am. Inc., No. 03-cv-9253, 2006 WL 850849, at *2 (N.D. Ill.
Mar. 24, 2006).
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The Court recognizes that Defendant “inevitably incurred compensable
copying costs as a result of this document-intensive litigation.” Trading Techs., 750
F. Supp. 2d at 980; see also Carpenter v. Ford Motor Co., No. 90-cv-5822, 1993 WL
34831, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 11, 1993) (“Although we find Ford’s request to be lacking
in specificity, we recognize that within Ford's request there undoubtedly exist
charges for copies that were necessarily for use in the case.”). Nevertheless, the
Court is unable to award Defendants total request “due to concerns that it may still
contain expenses for items that are not compensable.” Trading Techs., 750 F. Supp.
2d at 979. Therefore, the Court in its discretion awards fifty percent of Defendant’s
original request, which equals $1,521.40. Such an award recognizes that Defendant
inevitably incurred compensable copying costs but also “prevents a situation where
[Defendant] benefits from the shortcomings in its proof, by recovering more
compensation for costs than it should.” Id. at 980.
b)
Professional Printing Costs
Defendant also requests $3,495.37 in professional printing costs. Def.’s Bill
of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 5-6. Unlike its “in-house” cost submission, however, here
Defendant specifically references what documents were copied (Defendant’s motion
for summary judgment and exhibit binders for trial). Id. at Ex. C. Therefore, the
Court finds that such printing was “necessary for use in the case,” 28 U.S.C. §
1920(4), and awards Defendant the full $3,495.37 requested.
c)
Summary. In sum, of the total $6,538.17 requested for
printing costs, the Court awards $5,016.77.
18
4.
Witness Fees
a)
Attendance Costs
Defendant claims $53.00 in attendance costs for witness Paul Rice for both
the January and September trials (totaling $106.00). 2 Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 2-3.
Witnesses, however, are only entitled to a $40.000 per day attendance fee.
28
U.S.C. § 1821(b). Therefore, the Court awards only $80.00 in attendance fees and
denies $26.00.
b)
Subsistence Costs
Defendant claims subsistence costs for witnesses Duncan Brown, Matthew
Igoe, and Derrek Peckhart. Such costs are recoverable when “an overnight stay is
required at the place of attendance because such place is so far removed from the
residence of such witness as to prohibit return thereto from day to day.” 28 U.S.C.
§ 1821(d)(1). Witnesses “shall be paid in an amount not to exceed the maximum per
diem allowance” set by the General Services Administration.
Id. § 1821(d)(2).
Thus, “the amount taxable is the amount actually paid or the statutorily defined
amount, whichever is less.” Trading Techs. Int’l, Inc. v. eSpeed, Inc., 750 F. Supp.
2d 962, 971 (N.D. Ill. 2010) (quoting Independence Tube Corp. v. Copperweld Corp.,
543 F. Supp. 706, 721 (N.D. Ill. 1982)).
Both trials in this case occurred during fiscal year 2016, when the maximum
per diem in Cook County for meals and incidental expenses equaled $74.00. U.S.
General Services Administration, Per Diem Rates, http://www.gsa.gov/portal/
2
Defendant does not request attendance costs for any other witness. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 2-3.
19
content/104877 (last visited December 6, 2016). The daily subsistence costs for the
above-named witnesses fall below this figure. 3 Consequently, the Court awards
Defendant its requested subsistence costs.
c)
Lodging Costs
(1)
January Trial.
The maximum per diem for
lodging in January 2016 equaled $141.00. Id. Defendant’s requested lodging costs
for the January 2016 trial fall below this figure. 4 Therefore, the Court awards
Defendant its requested lodging costs for the January 2016 trial.
(2)
September Trial.
The maximum per diem for
lodging in September 2016 equaled $212.00. Id.
(a)
Duncan Brown.
Hotel costs for Brown
equaled $235.00 for one night. 5 Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 12. Therefore,
the Court awards only $212.00 in lodging fees and denies $23.00.
For Brown, Defendant requests a total of $184.99 for five days (or $36.99 per day) for the January
trial and $60.81 for two days (or approximately $30.40 per day) for the September trial. For Igoe,
Defendant only requests a total of $144.04 for three days (or approximately $48.01 per day) for the
September trial. For Peckhart, Defendant requests a total of $55.94 for two days ($27.97 per day) for
the January trial and $62.51 for two days (or approximately $31.26 per day) for the September trial.
Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 3.
3
4
Defendant requests only $135.00 for Peckhart. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 3.
Defendant’s submissions are unclear as to the precise number of nights each witness spent in paidfor lodging. For example, for Brown, Defendant claims dates of “Sept. 15-Sept. 16 2016” and
provides a total cost, but does not clarify whether Brown spent the nights of both September 15 and
September 16 in paid-for lodging, or merely September 15. See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at
12. The Court presumes the latter because the lodging entry on Brown’s expense report is dated
September 16, 2016. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. F.
5
20
(b)
Matthew Igoe. Hotel costs for Igoe equaled
$904.00 for two nights. 6 Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 11-12. Therefore, the
Court awards only $424.00 in lodging fees and denies $480.00.
(c)
equaled $438.40 for three nights. 7
Derrek Peckhart. Hotel costs for Peckhart
Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 12.
Therefore, the Court awards the $438.40 requested.
d)
Airfare Costs
Defendant claims airfare costs for Brown, Igoe, and Peckhart for both the
January and September trial. A prevailing party is entitled to travel expenses for
witnesses as long as the witness “utilize[s] a common carrier and the most
economical rate reasonably available.” 28 U.S.C. § 1821(c)(1).
(1)
“Agent Booking Fees.”
Agent Booking Fees. Defendant claims multiple
Such additional fees are not taxable under 28 U.S.C. §
1821(c)(1). Therefore, the Court denies the $70.00 requested. 8
(2)
Duncan Brown’s Travel for January Trial
For the January trial, Brown originally flew from Texas to Chicago on
January 19, 2016, the first day of trial. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 9.
See supra, note 4. Defendant claims dates of “Sept. 13-Sept. 15 2016” and provides a total cost, but
does not clarify whether Igoe spent the nights of September 13, 14, and 15 in paid-for lodging, or
merely September 13 and 14. See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 11-12. The Court presumes
the latter because the lodging entry on Igoe’s expense report is dated September 15, 2016. Def.’s Bill
of Costs [204] Ex. E.
6
See supra, note 4. Defendant claims dates of “Sept. 14-Sept. 16 2016” and provides a total cost, but
does not clarify whether Peckhart spent the nights of September 14, 15, and 16 in paid-for lodging,
or merely September 14 and 15. See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Attach. 2 at 12. This time, the Court
presumes the former because the lodging entry on Peckhart’s expense report is dated September 17,
2016. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. G.
7
8
Defendant requests five separate $14.00 agent booking fees. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 9, 11.
21
Brown did not testify however, until January 26, 2016. Id. at 8. Brown did not
wish to remain in Chicago while he waited to testify, and therefore returned to
Texas on January 22, 2016 and flew back to Chicago on January 25, 2016. Id. at 89. In doing so, Brown incurred a $200.00 change fee and an additional $331.32
round-trip airfare. Id. at 9. Brown’s travel arrangements, however, were for his
personal convenience and unnecessary for Defendant’s case, which proceeded
throughout his absence. The Court, therefore, denies $531.32 related to Brown’s
change fee and second flight to and from Chicago.
(3)
Remaining Airfare
Defendant’s remaining submissions merely provide the carrier and total price
for each ticket. See Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. E-G. From this, it is clear that
Defendant expended costs for air travel, but it is impossible to tell whether the fares
were the most economical rate reasonably available. Such information is needed to
permit the Court to ascertain how much reimbursement is warranted.
As with Defendant’s “in-house” printing costs, the Court recognizes that
Defendant “inevitably incurred” compensable travel costs related to air travel. See
Trading Techs., 750 F. Supp. 2d at 980 (dealing with uncertainty related to printing
costs). Nevertheless, the Court is unable to award Defendant’s total request “due to
concerns that it may still contain expenses for items that are not compensable.” Id.
at 979. Therefore, the Court in its discretion awards fifty percent of Defendant’s
original request, which, after deducting the amounts already discussed, equals
22
$608.59. 9
As with its printing costs, such an award recognizes that Defendant
inevitably incurred compensable airfare costs, but also “prevents a situation where
[Defendant] benefits from the shortcomings in its proof, by recovering more
compensation for costs than it should.” Id. at 980.
e)
Miscellaneous Witness Costs
(1)
Parking at Airport. Defendant requests $173.00
for airport parking fees. 10 Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 3.
Parking fees related to
common carrier travel are taxable. 28 U.S.C. § 1821(c)(3). Therefore, the Court
awards the requested $173.00.
(2)
Local Travel. Defendant requests an additional
$1,248.20 for local travel costs for Brown, Igoe, and Peckhart. Def.’s Bill of Costs
[204] 3-4. These costs involve fees related to train travel, car rental, fuel, parking,
and taxis.
Id.
For witnesses, “normal travel expenses within and outside the
judicial district” are taxable. 28 U.S.C. § 1821(d)(4). The Court finds Defendant’s
local travel costs normal, reasonable, and necessary, and therefore grants the
$1,248.20 requested.
f)
Summary. In sum, of the total $5,404.58 requested for
witness fees, the Court awards $3,665.68. 11
Defendant’s total requested airfare reimbursement is $1,818.49. Subtracting the $70.00 related to
agent booking fees and $531.32 related to Brown’s untaxable January travel reduces this amount to
$1,217.17, which, divided by two, equals approximately $608.59.
9
Specifically, Defendant requests $96.00 for Brown and $77.00 for Peckhart. Def.’s Bill of Costs
[204] 3.
10
This amount reflects the $5,404.58 requested minus the $26.00 denied in attendance fees; $23.00
denied for Brown’s September lodging; $480.00 denied for Igoe’s September lodging; $70.00 denied
11
23
5.
Exemplification Costs
28 U.S.C. § 1920(4) permits recovery for fees “for exemplification.” Although
the statute does not define the term, the Seventh Circuit has embraced an
“expansive definition.” Cefalu v. Vill. of Elk Grove, 211 F.3d 416, 427 (7th Cir.
2000). The term is ordinarily construed as permitting an award “of the reasonable
expense of preparing maps, charts, graphs, photographs, motion pictures,
photostats, and kindred materials” when necessarily obtained for use in the case.
Id. (quoting Equal Employment Opportunity Comm’n v. Kenosha Unified Sch. Dist.
No. 1, 620 F.2d 1220, 1227 (7th Cir. 1980)). Indeed, any “means of presentation” is
potentially compensable so long as it “furthers the illustrative purpose of an
exhibit” and is “necessarily obtained for use in the case.” Id. at 428.
Here, Defendant requests $180.00 for creation of medical graphics and
$3,931.45 for reproduction of the security video that captured the alleged assault.
Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. C-D.
Both investments constitute proper
exemplification for the purposes of § 1920(4). Although the cost to reproduce the
security video was substantial, Defendant contracted to make the video compatible
with common computer video players and allow for frame-by-frame review. Such
modifications were necessary for trial, as both parties made nuanced arguments
regarding the video’s probative impact.
Therefore, the court awards Defendant
$4,111.45 in exemplification costs.
Defendant additionally requests $68.26 for “materials for closing argument,”
but fails to provide further detail.
Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] Ex. C.
Absent
for agent booking fees; $531.32 denied for Brown’s January travel; and $608.58 denied for airfare.
24
clarification, the Court cannot determine whether these “materials” constitute
proper exemplification. Therefore, Defendant’s request for this $68.26 is denied. 12
6.
Summary
In light of the above, the Court awards costs in the amount of $26,027.86,
broken down as follows:
Type of Cost
Deposition Transcripts
Daily Trial Transcripts
Printing Fees
Witness Fees
Exemplification Fees
Total
III.
Amount Requested
$9,435.86
$5,410.85
$6,538.17
$5,404.58
$4,264.77
$31,054.23
Amount Awarded
$7,823.11
$5,410.85
$5,016.77
$3,665.68
$4,111.45
$26,027.86
Conclusion
Plaintiff’s oral motion to vacate the order of costs is granted in part and
denied in part as described above. The Court awards costs to Defendant in the
amount of $26,027.86, and the Clerk is directed to tax costs in this amount.
Date: December 15, 2016
ENTERED:
____________________________
John Robert Blakey
United States District Judge
Adding the $4,111.45 awarded and $68.26 denied equals $4,179.71. Defendant, however, requests
a total of $4,264.77 in exemplification costs. Def.’s Bill of Costs [204] 1. The source of the
outstanding $85.06 is unclear, and therefore denied.
12
25
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