VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00776 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00776 Petitioner: Alan Kozuki Filed: 2016-06-30 Decided: 2017-09-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2015-10-24 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 75000 AI-assisted case summary: Alan Kozuki filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 30, 2016. He alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on October 24, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On December 5, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Mr. Kozuki entitled to compensation for SIRVA. Subsequently, on March 8, 2017, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. The respondent represented that Mr. Kozuki agreed with the proffered award of $75,000.00. Based on the record, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarded Mr. Kozuki a lump sum payment of $75,000.00. This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award was to be paid in the form of a check payable to Alan Kozuki. Petitioner's counsel was Paul Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP. Respondent's counsel was Michael Milmoe of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Alan Kozuki alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on October 24, 2015. The Special Master found entitlement to compensation for SIRVA. The respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, agreeing to a $75,000.00 lump sum payment for all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), which petitioner accepted. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, medical experts, or detailed clinical findings. The theory of causation is based on the "Table" of the Vaccine Injury Table, which presumes SIRVA is vaccine-related if it occurred within a specified timeframe after administration. The award was $75,000.00, paid as a lump sum check to Alan Kozuki. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey on September 29, 2017, based on a proffer filed March 8, 2017. Attorneys involved were Paul Brazil for the petitioner and Michael Milmoe for the respondent. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00776-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-09-29 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/08/2017) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00776-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/29/17 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-776V Filed: March 8, 2017 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALAN KOZUKI, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza (“Fu”); Shoulder Injury * Related to Vaccine Administration SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Michael Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 30, 2016, petitioner 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 24, 2015. Petition at 1-3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 5, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 8, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:16-vv-00776-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/29/17 Page 2 of 4 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Alan Kozuki. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a). The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey 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 1:16-vv-00776-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/29/17 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) ALAN KOZUKI, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 16-776V ) Chief Special Master Dorsey v. ) ECF ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items On December 5, 2016, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement determining that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for his Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below, and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages. Case 1:16-vv-00776-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/29/17 Page 4 of 4 A. A lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Alan Kozuki. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LISA A. WATTS Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Michael P. Milmoe MICHAEL P. MILMOE Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-4125 Dated: February 8, 2017 Fax: (202) 616-4310