Court Opinion

ID: 4282407
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-06-07 20:01:57.985024+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:50.605919
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 17-731V
                                      Filed: March 23, 2018
                                           Unpublished

    THOMAS HETTENBACH,
                                                             Petitioner's Motion for a Decision
                          Petitioner,                        Dismissing Petition; Measles,
    v.                                                       Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
                                                             Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Vaccine Administration (SIRVA);
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Insufficient Proof of Causation;
                                                             Vaccine Act Entitlement; Denial
                         Respondent.                         Without Hearing; Special Processing
                                                             Unit (SPU)

John Robert Howie, Jr., Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                               DECISION 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On June 2, 2017, Thomas Hettenbach (“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” or “Program”).3 Petitioner alleges that he
suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) caused in fact by
the measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”) vaccine he received on April 14, 2016.
Petition at 1. The information in the record does not show entitlement to an award
under the Program.

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
3
    The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.
        On Mach 23, 2018, petitioner moved for a decision dismissing his petition,
acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate entitlement to
compensation. (ECF No. 24). Petitioner indicated in his motion that “[a]n investigation
of the facts and science supporting this case has demonstrated to petitioner that he will
be unable to prove that he is entitled to compensation in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at
¶ 1. Petitioner further indicated that he “understands that a decision by the Chief
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 ¶ 3.

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

       Under the Vaccine Act, a petitioner may not be awarded compensation based on
the petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either the
medical records or by a medical opinion. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the record does not
contain medical records or a medical opinion sufficient to demonstrate that petitioner
was injured by a vaccine. For these reasons, and in accordance with § 12(d)(3)(A),
petitioner’s claim for compensation is DENIED and this case is DISMISSED for
insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                Chief Special Master

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