Court Opinion

ID: 2719378
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-20 20:01:20.403371+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:49.614880
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 03-561V
                                       Filed: July 28, 2014
                                       Not to be Published

*************************
                        *
JULIA RILEY, parent     *
of T.R., Jr., a minor,  *
                        *
        Petitioner,     *                                 Autism; Petitioner’s Motion for a
                        *                                 Decision Dismissing the Petition;
                 v.     *                                 Insufficient Proof of Causation; Vaccine
                        *                                 Act Entitlement; Denial Without Hearing
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES,         *
                        *
        Respondent.     *
                        *
*************************

                                              DECISION 1

       On March 11, 2003, petitioner filed a Petition for Vaccine Compensation in the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”),2 alleging that various vaccinations
injured T.R. The information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award
under the Program.

       On July 26, 2014, petitioner moved for a decision dismissing 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 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to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.
        To receive compensation under the Program, petitioner must prove either 1) that T.R.
suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding
to one of T.R.’s vaccinations, or 2) that T.R. suffered an injury that was actually caused by a
vaccine. See §§ 300aa-13(a)(1)(A) and 300aa-11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not
uncover any evidence that T.R. suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain a
medical expert’s opinion or any other persuasive evidence indicating that T.R.’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. § 300aa-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.

       Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioner has failed to
demonstrate either that T.R. suffered a “Table Injury” or that T.R.’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/George L. Hastings, Jr.
                                                     George L. Hastings, Jr.
                                                     Special Master