Court Opinion

ID: 2683769
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-07-15 16:01:17.934691+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:12:45.200970
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                     OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                              No. 02-48V
                                         Filed: June 13, 2013

***********************************************
SHERYL SCHWARTZ, mother and                   *
natural guardian of A.S., a minor,            *
                                              *           Autism; Petitioners’ Motion for a
                       Petitioner,            *           Decision Dismissing the Insufficient
                                              *           Petition; Proof of Causation; Vaccine
        v.                                    *           Act Entitlement; Denial Without Hearing
                                              *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                           *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           *
                                              *
                       Respondent.            *
***********************************************

Clifford J. Shoemaker, Esq., Shoemaker and Associates, Vienna, VA, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, Esq., United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                               DECISION1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

      On January 17, 2002, petitioner filed a petition for Vaccine Compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”],2 alleging that various
vaccinations injured her minor child A.S. The information in the record, however, does
not show entitlement to an award under the Program.

     On June 11, 2014, petitioner moved for a decision on the merits of the petition,
acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate entitlement to
compensation.

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify
and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further,
consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision.
If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will
delete such material from public access.
2
  The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-
660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or
“the Act”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act.

                                                     1
       To receive compensation under the Program, petitioner must prove either 1) that
A.S. suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table –
corresponding to one of A.S.’s vaccinations, or 2) that A.S. suffered an injury that was
actually caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). An examination of the
record did not uncover any evidence that A.S. suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the
record does not contain persuasive evidence indicating that A.S.’s alleged injury was
vaccine-caused.

        Under the Act, petitioner may not be given a Program award based solely on the
petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical
records or by the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, because
there are insufficient medical records supporting petitioner’s claim, a medical opinion
must be offered in support. Petitioner, however, has offered no such opinion that
supports a finding of entitlement.

       Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioner has failed to
demonstrate either that A.S. suffered a “Table Injury” or that A.S.’s injuries were
“actually caused” by a vaccination. Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient
proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                    s/ Denise K. Vowell
                                    Denise K. Vowell
                                    Chief Special Master

                                              2