Kouzmov v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2023 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0561V
PETER KOUZMOV, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 23, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Lawrence Steven Paikoff, Law Offices of Lawrence S. Paikoff, M.D., J.D., Davis, CA, for
Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 23, 2022, Peter Kouzmov 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 he suffered from a left shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of a human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccine
administered on June 18, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 11, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On October 20, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $54,124.06
(comprised of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,624.06 for past unreimbursable
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).
expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is
entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $54,124.06 (comprised of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and
$1,624.06 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a).
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.
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
PETER KOUZMOV, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-561V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On May 23, 2022, Peter Kouzmov (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under
the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act”
or “Act”), as amended. The petition alleges that as a result of receiving a human papillomavirus
(“HPV”) vaccination on June 18, 2021, petitioner suffered from a left shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition at Preamble. On October 6, 2023, the Secretary
of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is
appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act. ECF No. 23. On October 11, 2023,
Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. ECF No. 24.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees to accept this amount.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses
related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past
unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,624.06. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B).
Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that Chief Special Master Corcoran’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 1: a lump sum payment of $54,124.06, in
the form of a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Peter Kouzmov: $54,124.06
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Meghan R. Murphy
MEGHAN R. MURPHY
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-4264
meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov
DATED: October 20, 2023
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