Court Opinion

ID: 2771450
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-20 21:01:33.965258+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:27:42.249998
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                       Case No. 13-521V
                                   Filed: December 30, 2014

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                               UNPUBLISHED
DAVID ALEXANDER MAHER,        *
                              *                               Special Master
                              *                               Nora Beth Dorsey
          Petitioner,         *
                              *
v.                            *                               Entitlement; Decision without a
                              *                               Hearing; Ruling on the Record;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH           *                               Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular
AND HUMAN SERVICES,           *                               Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine;
                              *                               Neurologic Injuries.
          Respondent.         *
                              *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Deborah Mandas Knopfler, Ventura, CA, for petitioner.
Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION ON ENTITLEMENT1

I.     Introduction

      On July 29, 2013, David Alexander Maher (“petitioner”), pro se, filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program” or the
“Vaccine Act”)2, alleging that a tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002 § 205, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2006). In
accordance with the Vaccine Rules, each party has 14 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). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a
proposed redacted ruling. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within the requirements of that provision, such material will be deleted from public access.
2
 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42
U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
of the Act.

                                                  1
he received on July 28, 2010, caused him to sustain a “neurologic injury.” Petition at 2. The
medical records and information in the record, however, do not support a finding that petitioner
is entitled to compensation under the Vaccine Act.

        In this case, petitioner alleges both a “Table Injury” and a “causation-in-fact” injury. See
§ 300aa-13(a)(1). Here, the evidence does not support a finding of a Table Injury; thus a medical
opinion as to causation is required. Petitioner has not offered such an opinion. See Petitioner’s
Motion for Ruling on the Record (“Pet’r’s Motion”) at 3. In lieu of filing a supportive expert
opinion, petitioner requests that the Special Master “take Judicial Notice of the known and
admitted side effects of the Tdap vaccine.… ” Id. As explained below, even if the undersigned
takes judicial notice as requested by petitioner, there is insufficient evidence to prove causation.
For these reasons, and the reasons discussed below, petitioner has failed to demonstrate that he is
entitled to compensation, and therefore, the petition is dismissed for insufficient proof.

II.    Procedural History

        Petitioner filed his petition pro se on July 29, 2013. No medical records were filed with
the petition. On August 23, 2013, petitioner filed a motion requesting a 90 day enlargement of
time to file his medical records, and requested that the initial status conference be delayed until
the records were filed. Petitioner’s request was granted. See Scheduling Order dated August 26,
2013. On November 20, 2013, petitioner filed exhibits A-H, a disability insurance certificate,
and affidavits. The initial status conference was held on January 9, 2014. Mr. Maher appeared,
as well as Ms. Debra Knopfler, an attorney that Mr. Maher had recently retained but who had not
yet entered an appearance in the case. Ms. Claudia Gangi appeared on behalf of respondent.
Pursuant to the discussions that took place during the conference, petitioner was ordered to file
additional medical records requested by respondent. Id.

         Ms. Knopfler was substituted as counsel of record for petitioner on February 28, 2014,
and supplemental records were filed on March 10, 2014. A second status conference was held
on April 24, 2014. Counsel for petitioner stated that she believed all outstanding records had
been filed. Based on the discussions held during the status conference, respondent was ordered to
file a status report by May 27, 2014, indicating whether she wished to pursue informal resolution
of the claim or to propose a deadline to file the Rule 4(c) report. See Order filed April 25, 2014.

       Respondent filed a status report on May 27, 2014, stating that respondent did not wish to
pursue informal resolution and proposed a deadline of June 20, 2014, to file the Rule 4(c)
Report. On June 20, 2014, respondent filed her report pursuant to Vaccine Rule 4(c), stating that
the medical personnel of the Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation had reviewed the petition
and medical records and concluded that the case was not appropriate for compensation under the
Vaccine Act. See Respondent’s Report (“Resp’t’s Rep’t”), filed June 20, 2014, at 2.

        Subsequently, a Rule 5 status conference was held on July 24, 2014. During that
conference, the undersigned inquired whether the parties had discussed settlement or if the
parties were interested in doing so prior to filing expert reports. Respondent’s counsel stated that
her client intended to defend the case unless petitioner could produce an expert opinion in

                                                 2
support of his claim. Petitioner was ordered to file an expert report by Monday, September 22,
2014. See Scheduling order filed July 24, 2014. Petitioner did not file an expert report. Instead,
on October 21, 2014, petitioner filed a motion for a ruling on the record. Respondent did not file
a response to the motion.

       This case is now ripe for a decision on the record.

III.   Summary of the Relevant Evidence3

           a. The Petition and Petitioner’s Affidavit

        Petitioner was born on July 23, 1962, and was healthy and active prior to receiving the
vaccination at issue. See Petition at 2; Ex. H at 1. Petitioner received a Tdap vaccination on July
28, 2010, at his place of work, Ventura County Medical Center, “following an exposure to a
doctor that was later confirmed to have pertussis.” Id. at 2. Approximately three hours later,
petitioner stated that he began experiencing “high fever that lasted for 3 days, bedding that was
saturated with sweat that had to be rewashed every few hours, and extreme fatigue and extreme
sleepiness.” Id.

        Since July 28, 2010, petitioner alleged that his symptoms have become more frequent and
severe. He stated that he has been “symptomatic for [e]ncephalitis, weak productive cough,
severe weakness, severe sleepiness, trembling in extremities, severe headaches, seizure-like
activity, confusion, fatigue, aphasia, poor balance, awkward movements, paralysis, personality
changes, poor social skills, memory problems, disorientation, difficulty with activities of daily
living, and employment problems.” Petition at 2. Petitioner further alleged that he is no longer
able to perform his former job of medical office assistant. Id.

       On April 13, 2011, petitioner was sent home from work for having what a co-worker
physician described as a tonic-clonic seizure. See Petition at 2. Petitioner was seen in the
emergency department for uncontrollable shaking and body movements on May 10, 2011, May
11, 2011, and August 25, 2011. Id. Petitioner alleges that he sustained “a neurologic injury
caused by the vaccine and that his ongoing condition is a sequelae of that disorder.” Id.

           b. Medical records

       Prior to receiving the vaccination at issue, petitioner’s medical history was significant for
chronic lower back pain and degenerative disc disease. Ex. C2 at 133. He also had an
“undiagnosed sleep disorder.” Ex. H at 1.

        From July 17, 2010 through July 25, 2010, petitioner was exposed to a co-worker who
had a pertussis infection. Ex. I at 361 to 364. Due to that exposure, on July 28, 2010, petitioner
received the Tdap vaccine and antibiotics from his employer. Pet. at 2; Ex. H at 1. On August 2,
2010, petitioner presented to Dr. Wilson Fung’s office in Camarillo, California, for follow-up
care related to his exposure to pertussis. Dr. Fung documented that petitioner had been on a Z-
3
 The undersigned has reviewed the entire record. See § 300aa-13(a)(1). This summary is not an
attempt to present all relevant evidence, only a brief overview of some of the pertinent facts.

                                                 3
pack but was still symptomatic, with a productive cough, fatigue and decreased energy. Ex. I at
361. Dr. Fung took a medical history and documented petitioner’s 30 plus year history of
excessive daytime somnolence. Dr. Fung also noted that petitioner “falls asleep within minutes
in quiet environment.” Id. The nurse’s note from that office visit confirms that petitioner’s
history of extreme daytime sleepiness had been a problem for 35 years. Id. Upon physical
examination, petitioner had normal, unlabored respiratory effort and his lungs were clear to
auscultation. Dr. Fung’s diagnoses were: 1) occupational exposure to pertussis, and 2) sleep-
related breathing disorder, narcolepsy/obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dr. Fung ordered
antibiotics for the pertussis exposure and a sleep lab study for the diagnosis of narcolepsy/OSA.
Id.

        Dr. Fung referred petitioner to Dr. George C. Yu for a sleep consultation. Petitioner
underwent a sleep study on September 2, 2010. Ex. C2 at 139. Subsequently, Dr. Yu saw
petitioner on February 14, 2011, and documented petitioner’s history as follows: “He has
progressive daytime sleepiness for 30 years. He works night shifts. He had pertussis in 8/10.
His sleepiness has worsened since. He has been on Adderall for depression and daytime
sleepiness for about one year. He takes Adderall at different times about 6 days per week. He
has worked night shift about 3/5 years…. He is still sleepy even with Adderall.” Ex. C2 at 164.
Dr. Yu concluded that petitioner’s sleep study and work up were “suggestive but not diagnostic
of narcolepsy without cataplexy” and “idiopathic hypersomnia.” Id. Dr. Yu did not attribute
petitioner’s problems to the Tdap vaccination.

       A number of other physicians also examined and evaluated petitioner. In July 2011, Dr.
Allan D. Wu at UCLA performed an extensive work up on petitioner. Petitioner reported that he
had developed a hand tremor the prior year, which had progressed to “shaking, posturing, and his
jaw becoming more clenched intermittently… [g]radually, his head shaking started to appear.”
Ex. C4 at 195-96. Petitioner had involuntary movements with “constant bobbing of his head…
and writhing movements of his arms.” Id. at 197. Petitioner’s neurological examination was
normal. Id. Dr. Wu concluded that petitioner had a functional movement disorder4 with
“abnormal stereotyped movement patterns that are being expressed inappropriately” and
recommended treatment with “coping strategies and re-adaptation.” Id.

        Petitioner saw Dr. Pari Young, a neurologist, who agreed with Dr. Wu that petitioner had
a “functional movement disorder” with “possible late onset dystonia, psychomotor slowing and
possible early cognitive deterioration.” Ex. C1 at 84. In an office visit on August 17, 2012, Dr.
Young noted that petitioner’s abnormal movements had progressed to include “seizure-like
episodes” with stiffening of the limbs. Ex. C1 at 98. An extensive work up was normal. Results
from diagnostic studies including a CT scan, MRI, and EEG were all normal. Testing for genetic
disorders, including Huntington disease and Wilson disease, did not show evidence of any
abnormalities. Tests for rheumatologic disease were also normal. Id. Neurocognitive testing
did not reveal any significant abnormality, other than some problem with short term memory.
Petitioner questioned whether his symptoms were related to the Tdap vaccine. Dr. Young
responded that while vaccine causation was possible, there was no evidence to support such a
conclusion. Id. specifically, Dr. Young documented that while it was possible that petitioner
4
 A “functional disorder” is defined as a disorder of physiological function having “no known
organic basis.” Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 550 (32d ed. 2012).

                                                4
had “encephalitis and permanent brain damage from the vaccination… [his] MRI is negative for
any evidence of demyelinating disease or other ischemia.” Id. at 99.

        Petitioner also saw Dr. Scott Tushla, a family practice physician, who diagnosed
petitioner with “idiopathic hypersomnia” and a head tremor. Ex. C6 at 222. Dr. Timothy
Sheehy, a neurologist, suspected that petitioner had a psychogenic movement disorder. Ex. C8 at
247-48. Dr. Lakshman Rasiah, a psychiatrist, concluded petitioner had an adjustment reaction
disorder. Ex. C9 at 252-53. Erik Lande, Ph.D., a psychologist, determined that petitioner had
normal cognitive function with some short term memory problems that were probably related to
medication. Ex. C10 at 254. Finally, Dr. Stephen Rolanksy, an emergency room physician,
suspected that petitioner had a neuropsychiatric disorder. Ex. C7 at 243. None of these
physicians concluded that petitioner’s condition was caused by the Tdap vaccine.

IV.    Standard for Adjudication—Causation

         The Vaccine Act established the Program to compensate vaccine-related injuries and
deaths. § 300aa-10(a). “Congress designed the Vaccine Program to supplement the state law
civil tort system as a simple, fair and expeditious means for compensating vaccine-related
injured persons. The Program was established to award ‘vaccine-injured persons quickly, easily,
and with certainty and generosity.’” Rooks v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 35 Fed. Cl. 1, 7
(1996) (quoting H.R. REP. No. 908 at 3, reprinted in 1986 U.S.C.C.A.N. at 6287, 6344).

        To receive compensation under the Vaccine Act, petitioner must prove either: (1) that he
suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to a
vaccine that he received, or (2) that he suffered a “causation-in-fact” injury, that is an injury that
was actually caused by the vaccine he received. See §§ 300aa-13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1);
Capizzano v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 440 F.3d 1317, 1319-20 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
Petitioner must show that a vaccine was “not only a but-for cause of the injury but also a
substantial factor in bringing about the injury.” Moberly v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs.,
592 F.3d 1315, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (quoting Shyface, 165 F.3d at 1352-53 (Fed. Cir. 1994)).

        To establish causation in fact, petitioner must show by a preponderance of the evidence
that but for the vaccination, petitioner would not have been injured, and that the vaccination was
a substantial factor in bringing about the injury. Cedillo v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 617
F.3d 1328, 1338 (Fed. Cir. 2010); Shyface v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 165 F.3d 1344,
1352 (Fed. Cir. 1999). Proof of actual causation must be supported by a sound and reliable
“medical or scientific explanation that pertains specifically to the petitioner’s case, although the
explanation need only be ‘legally probable, not medically or scientifically certain.’” Moberly,
592 F.3d at 1321 (quoting Knudsen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 35 F.3d 543, 548-49);
see also Grant v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 956 F.2d 1144, 1148 (Fed. Cir. 1992)
(medical theory must support actual cause). “[A] petitioner must demonstrate the reliability of
any scientific or other expert evidence put forth to carry this burden . . . . Expert testimony, in
particular, must have some objective scientific basis in order to be credited by the Special
Master.” Jarvis v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 99 Fed. Cl. 47, 54-55 (2011) (citing
Moberly, 592 F.3d at 1322; Cedillo, 617 F.3d at 1339; Terran v. Sec’y of Health & Human
Servs., 195 F.3d 1302, 1316 (Fed. Cir. 1999)).

                                                  5
        “The special master…may not make [] a finding based on the claims of a petitioner alone,
unsubstantiated by medical records or by medical opinion.” § 300aa-13(a)(1). Causation is
determined on a case-by-case basis, with “no hard and fast per se scientific or medical rules.”
Knudsen, 35 F.3d at 548. A petitioner may use circumstantial evidence to prove the case, and
“close calls” regarding causation must be resolved in favor of the petitioner. Althen v. Sec’y of
Health & Human Servs., 418 F.3d 1274, 1280 (Fed. Cir. 2005).

        If there is no Table Injury, petitioner must prove that the vaccine caused his injury. To
do so, he must establish, by preponderant evidence: (1) a medical theory causally connecting the
vaccine and the injury (“Althen Prong One”); (2) a logical sequence of cause and effect showing
that a vaccine was the reason for his injury (“Althen Prong Two”); and (3) a showing of a
proximate temporal relationship between the vaccine and injury (“Althen Prong Three”). Althen,
418 F.3d at 1278; § 300aa–13(a)(1) (requiring proof by a preponderance of the evidence).

           a. There is no evidence of a Table Injury5

         In his affidavit, petitioner states that the “Tdap vaccine…and resulting injury…is
within the ‘Vaccine Injury Table.’” Ex. H at 1. Petitioner alleges that approximately three hours
after he received the vaccine on July 28, 2010, he had a high fever lasting for three days, and
extreme fatigue and sleepiness. Petition at 2. Petitioner further alleges that from July 28, 2010
through the present date, he has had “[e]ncephalitis, weak productive cough, severe weakness,
severe sleepiness, trembling in extremities, severe headaches, seizure-like activity, confusion,
fatigue, aphasia, poor balance, awkward movements, paralysis, personality changes, poor social
skills, memory problems, disorientation, difficulty with activities of daily living, and
employment problems.” Id.

        Of the injuries alleged by petitioner, the only injury listed on the Table for the Tdap
vaccine is encephalopathy (or encephalitis). 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 Vaccine Injury Table (2011). To
be considered a Table Injury, the “first symptom or manifestation of onset or of significant
aggravation” of encephalopathy must occur within 72 hours after administration of the vaccine.
Id. The qualifications and aids to interpretation (QAI) that accompany the Table define
encephalopathy for adults and children 18 months of age or older as an “acute encephalopathy…
that persists for at least 24 hours and characterized by at least two of the following: (1) A
significant change in mental status that is not medication related; specifically a confusional state,
or a delirium, or a psychosis; (2) A significant decreased level of consciousness, which is
independent of a seizure and cannot be attributed to the effects of medication; and (3) A seizure
associated with loss of consciousness.” 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(b)(2)(i)(B).

       Here, petitioner does not allege any “significant change in mental status,” “significant
decreased level of consciousness” or “seizure associated with loss of consciousness” within 72
hours after receipt of the vaccine. While he alleges that he experienced fever, extreme fatigue
and sleepiness, these signs and symptoms do not meet the definition of encephalopathy under the

5
 It is not clear whether petitioner intended to allege a Table Injury, but for the sake of
completeness, the undersigned assumed that he did.

                                                  6
Vaccine Act. Moreover, the medical records do not support a finding that petitioner had an
encephalopathy. In the first few days after receiving the vaccine, there is no evidence of a
neurological injury. Petitioner had a cough, fatigue, decreased energy, fever, and sweats. But
there is no medical record or other evidence which supports any finding that he had brain
impairment.

        There are several entries where physicians raise the issue of encephalitis, but petitioner
was never diagnosed with that condition. Moreover, it appears that in these instances the
question of encephalitis was raised by petitioner, and then rejected as a diagnosis by the
physicians who treated petitioner. Dr. Rasiah documented a quote by petitioner that he was
“suffering from the sequelae of an encephalitis” caused by the vaccine. However, this was not a
diagnosis reached by Dr. Rasiah. Dr. Rasiah did not document or suggest in the records that
petitioner had any sign or symptom of encephalopathy as defined by the QAI within 72 hours.
See Pet. Ex. C9 at 251-52.

        Similarly, Dr. Young documented petitioner’s concerns about having encephalitis on
August 17, 2012, more than one year after he received the vaccination. Dr. Young notes that
petitioner “believes that all of his symptoms were the result of a Tdap vaccination.” Dr. Young
goes so far as to document that “[i]t is possible that [petitioner] had encephalitis,” Pet. Ex. C1 at
99, but a mere possibility is not preponderant evidence. Even assuming that Dr. Young had
made a diagnosis of encephalitis, there were no documented symptoms associated with
encephalitis that occurred during the time frame required under the Vaccine Table.

      For the above reasons, the undersigned finds that petitioner is not entitled to
compensation based upon his allegation that he suffered a Table Injury.

           b. The evidence does not prove causation under the Althen prongs

        Petitioner has also failed to produce evidence or an expert opinion establishing that the
vaccination caused his neurological injuries. In fact, petitioner “concedes the lack of a medical
expert report causally linking his current disabilities to the vaccine.” Pet’r’s Motion for Ruling
on the Record at 3. Petitioner instead requests that the undersigned take judicial notice of the
known side effects of the Tdap vaccine, as published by the Centers for Disease Control, the
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program website, and manufacturing labels. Id. Petitioner argues
that the complications he suffered immediately after the vaccine are known side effects, and that
expert opinion should not be required to establish causation “for the type of injuries suffered by
petitioner, as identified in the records on file.” Id.

         Petitioner has seen a number of physicians, and he has been diagnosed with narcolepsy,
OSA, idiopathic hypersomnia, functional movement disorder, psychogenic movement disorder,
adjustment reaction, and neuropsychiatric disorder, among other things. These conditions are
not the type of side effects or conditions for which the undersigned could take judicial notice as
it relates to vaccine causation. An expert medical opinion is required to establish that any of
these conditions are causally related to vaccination. Since petitioner has not submitted an expert
report, there is no preponderant proof of causation. Petitioner has not proved Althen Prong One,
as he has not provided any evidence of a medical theory showing how the vaccine can cause the

                                                  7
type of injuries he alleges. Petitioner has failed to prove Althen Prong Two, by not filing
evidence that the vaccination caused his injuries consistent with a proposed medical theory.
Petitioner has failed to prove Althen Prong Three, because there is no medical evidence or
medical opinion that addresses the issue of an appropriate proximate temporal relationship
between the vaccination and injury.

       Therefore, petitioner has failed to provide preponderant evidence that his vaccination
caused his alleged injuries.

V.     Conclusion

        For the reasons discussed above, the undersigned finds that petitioner has not established
entitlement to compensation and his petition must be dismissed. Therefore, this case is
dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/ Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                     Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                     Special Master

                                                8