Court Opinion

ID: 4912283
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-20 13:04:51.477314+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:39.095238
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                            No. 20-375V
                                         (not to be published)

*************************
THOMISA BROWN, on behalf of B.F., *
                                  *                                       Filed: August 17, 2021
                                  *
                                  *
          Petitioner,             *
                                  *
v.                                *
                                  *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH               *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,               *
                                  *
          Respondent.             *
                                  *
*************************

Mark Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, Petitioner.

Meghan Murphy, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, Respondent.

                          DECISION GRANTING MOTION TO DISMISS 1

        On April 2, 2020, Thomisa Brown filed a petition seeking compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (the “Vaccine Program”) 2 on behalf of her son, B.F.,
alleging that he suffered vaccine-induced alopecia areata resulting in depression caused by his

1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This
means that the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information.
Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged
or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole Decision will be available to the public.
Id.
2
 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012)) (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”).
All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
receipt of the meningococcal (Menactra), tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis,and human papillomavirus
(“HPV”) vaccines received on April 5, 2017, and a second dose of HPV vaccine received on
April 18, 2018. See Petition (ECF No. 1) at 1.

        Medical records were filed in support of this claim throughout 2020. This case was
originally assigned to a different special master but was reassigned to me on February 2, 2021.
(ECF No. 32). Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on March 18, 2021, asserting that compensation
was not appropriate in this case. Report, dated Mar. 18, 2021 (ECF No. 33).

        After a motion for an extension of time to file an expert report was granted on June 22,
2021, Petitioner filed an “Unopposed Motion for Decision” on August 13, 2021. Motion, filed
Aug. 13, 2021 (ECF No. 37) (“Mot.”). The motion requests dismissal of the case, but also indicates
that Petitioner intends to protect her rights to file a civil action in the future. Therefore, pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. §300aa-21(a)(2), she will elect to reject the Vaccine Program judgment against them
and elect to file a civil action. Respondent has not responded to the motion.

                                                   ANALYSIS

        The provisions under the Vaccine Rules for ending a case before a decision has been issued
are largely inapplicable herein. Petitioner cannot avail herself of Vaccine Rule 21(a)(1)(A), which
governs voluntary dismissals before service of the Rule 4(c) Report, and Respondent has not
stipulated to dismissal under Rule 21(a)(1)(B). In addition, even if the parties had so stipulated,
Petitioner seeks entry of a judgment, whereas Vaccine Rule 21(a) would only result in an “order
concluding proceedings.” Rule 21(a)(3).

        Accordingly, the only remaining channel for the relief Petitioner requests is a “motion
seeking dismissal”—an informal mechanism for ending cases that other petitioners have used,
either because they have determined that the claim cannot succeed, or simply because they choose
not to continue with the claim, but have reached that determination after the time to act under Rule
21 has passed. See, e.g., Goldie v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 18-1476V, 2019 WL
6045647, at *1 (Fed. Cl Spec. Mstr. Oct. 11, 2019). Petitioner, in her motion, acknowledges that
any Decision dismissing the case at this point will be adverse to seeking relief in the Program in
the future (based on the relevant vaccinations). Mot. at 1.

         The rules of the Court of Federal Claims (which are properly applied herein) 3 permit

3
  The Vaccine Rules specifically stated that the Rules of the Court of Federal Claims “apply only to the extent they
are consistent with the Vaccine Rules,” and otherwise empower special masters to “regulate the applicable practice”
under the Vaccine rules “[i]n any matter not specifically addressed” therein. Vaccine Rule 1(b) and (c). Here, I find
that permitting dismissal—in the form stated in this Decision— based on a rule of the Court of Federal Claims is fully
consistent with the Vaccine Rules, given that language of Vaccine Rule 21 does not cover voluntary dismissal by court
order, whereas RCFC 41 does cover voluntary dismissal by court order. Thus RCFC 41(a)(2) addresses a situation not
contemplated by Vaccine Rule 21.

                                                          2
dismissal of claims at a petitioner/plaintiff’s request and “on terms that the court considers proper.”
RCFC 41(a)(2). Accordingly, I find it is appropriate to grant Petitioner’s Motion. Expediency,
judicial efficiency, and providing fairness to Vaccine Program claimants—values that constantly
inform the work of special masters in deciding vaccine injury claims—all counsel in favor of
allowing dismissal when requested by a petitioner. Dismissal of the case will obviate the need to
adjudicate the matter, and cut off the prospect of future appeal as well (at least on matters not
pertaining to attorney’s fees), thus further preserving judicial resources.

        The dismissal is designated with prejudice.4 Despite fair opportunity, Petitioner offered no
expert report or treater support to attribute B.F.’s condition to his April 5, 2017 and/or April 18,
2018 vaccination. In addition, onset of symptoms appear to have developed over ten months after
his April 5, 2017 vaccines, and prior to his second HPV vaccination, which facially does not appear
medically acceptable. Petitioner thus has not offered any evidence that is sufficient to meet her
burden. And I note that Respondent has not conceded that the claim possessed reasonable basis,
and therefore may challenge any final fees request in this matter on that ground (although my
dismissal is not to be deemed an indication that I believe such a challenge would be well-founded).

                                                 CONCLUSION

        Under the Vaccine Act, a petitioner may not receive a Vaccine Program award based solely
on his claims alone. In this case, there is insufficient evidence in the record for Petitioner to meet
her burden of proof, and insufficient reliable scientific proof offered in support of the causation
theory. Therefore, Petitioner’s claim cannot succeed and must be dismissed. Section 11(c)(1)(A).

        Accordingly, the Motion for a Decision Dismissing the Case is hereby GRANTED, and
the Petition is dismissed with prejudice. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to
RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the
terms of this decision. 5

4
 Rule 41(a)(2) gives the Court discretion as to whether a dismissal should be with or without prejudice. See Giesecke
& Devrient GmbH v. United States, 146 Fed. Cl. 631, 641 (Fed. Cl. 2020) (“[u]nder Rule 41(a)(2), a voluntary
dismissal by court order is ‘without prejudice’ unless the court finds that the defendant will suffer legal prejudice,
such as when a plaintiff “does not seek dismissal until a late stage” in the litigation”). There are three factors to
consider on whether a dismissal should be with or without prejudice: “(i) the burden on the defendant if the case were
to be dismissed without prejudice; (ii) the progress of the litigation; and (iii) the diligence and good faith of the
plaintiff.” Klamath Irrigation District v. United States, 116 Fed. Cl. 117, 119 (Fed. Cl. 2014).

5
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment if (jointly or separately) they file notices
renouncing their right to seek review.

                                                           3
IT IS SO ORDERED.

                        s/ Brian H. Corcoran
                        Brian H. Corcoran
                        Chief Special Master

                    4