Court Opinion

ID: 4234642
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-01-05 17:04:13.596444+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:16:05.526289
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                         OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*********************
ANDREW KOZEL,            *
                         *                          No. 14-797V
             Petitioner, *                          Special Master Christian J. Moran
                         *
                         *
v.                       *
                         *                          Filed: December 11, 2017
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                          Entitlement; human papillomavirus
                         *                          (“HPV”) vaccine; various injuries;
             Respondent. *
*********************

Andrew D. Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner;
Adriana R. Teitel, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

           UNPUBLISHED DECISION DENYING COMPENSATION 1

       Andrew Kozel filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury
Act, 42 U.S.C. §300aa–10 through 34. The petition alleged that Mr. Kozel
suffered numerous injuries after he received a series of human papillomavirus
(“HPV”) vaccines on June 15, 2012, August 7, 2012, and December 27, 2012. See
Petition, filed Sept. 2, 2014.

       Mr. Kozel has now filed a Motion for a Decision Dismissing His Petition.
In view of Mr. Kozel’s motion and the information in the record, the undersigned
finds that Mr. Kozel has not shown entitlement to an award under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Program”).

       1 The E-Government Act, 44 § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website.
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of
medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any
redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
        I.   Procedural History

       Mr. Kozel filed a petition seeking compensation for injuries he sustained
following the receipt of a series of HPV vaccines on June 15, 2012, August 7,
2012, and December 27, 2012. The petition alleges that the vaccine administration
caused Mr. Kozel to suffer weight loss, double vision, vision changes, ringing in
ears, congestion, hair loss, numbness/tingling, headache and dizziness, heat/cold
intolerance, bad breath, frequent diarrhea, indigestion, dry lips and mouth, acne,
itchy scalp, bloating, chest pain and pressure, swollen glands, fatigue, and stomach
pain.

        On March 13, 2015, the Secretary filed his Rule 4 report. The Secretary
noted that Mr. Kozel had not claimed a particular diagnosis or injury and had only
claimed a list of symptoms of an unknown injury. The Secretary concluded that
Mr. Kozel failed to demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his
injuries were caused-in-fact by the HPV vaccine.

       Mr. Kozel submitted additional evidence. On May 19, 2015, Mr. Kozel filed
an opinion letter from one of his treating physicians, Dr. Lynne Mielke. Exhibit
13. Mr. Kozel filed an expert report from Dr. David Axelrod and a report from Dr.
Patrick Nemechek. Exhibits 14, 27. Mr. Kozel also submitted a supplemental
expert reports from Dr. Nemecheck. Exhibits 103, 105, 106, and 110.

     The Secretary countered this evidence by filing expert reports from Dr.
Randy Longman and from Dr. Phillip Low. Exhibits A, C, I, and J.

       The parties began to plan for an entitlement hearing, which was eventually
set for March 15 and 16, 2018. Order, issued June 8, 2017.

       Mr. Kozel filed the pending Motion for a Decision Dismissing His Petition.
The motion states: “Mr. Kozel and his family no longer wish to pursue this vaccine
claim. The Petitioner respectfully moves for a decision by the Special Master
dismissing his case.” Pet’r’s Mot. to Dismiss, filed August 15, 2017. The motion
also represents: “Petitioner understands that a decision by the Special Master
dismissing his petition will result in a judgment against him. He has been advised
that such a judgment will end all of his rights in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at ¶ 4.

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       II.   Analysis

       After presenting six reports from specially retained experts (Dr. Axelrod and
Dr. Nemechek) plus a separate report from a treating doctor (Dr. Mielke), Mr.
Kozel does not want to pursue his case. His motion also indicates that he expects
to receive a judgment.

       The precursor to a judgment is a decision. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e); Vaccine
Rule 11(a). A decision includes findings of fact and conclusions of law. 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-12(d)(3)(A); see also Vaccine Rule 10; Mora v. Secʼy of Health & Human
Servs., 673 Fed. App’x 991 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (discussing the requirement of a
finding of fact in a decision).

       In accord with Mr. Kozel’s expressed desire both to end the case and to
receive a judgment, the undersigned finds that Mr. Kozel has not met his burden of
establishing that he is entitled to compensation. The undersigned also concludes
that judgment shall enter against Mr. Kozel.

     Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter
judgment accordingly.

      Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Andrew Schick, at (202)
357-6360.

      IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                             s/Christian J. Moran
                                             Christian J. Moran
                                             Special Master

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