Court Opinion

ID: 2816405
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-07-10 20:13:09.188919+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:11:02.477782
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                              No. 09-068V
                                          Filed: June 16, 2015
                                          Not to be Published

*************************
                                   *
THOMAS J. CANNY and JULIA CANNY, *
parents and natural guardians      *
of CC, a minor,                    *
                                   *
                      Petitioners, *
                                   *                            Autism; Petitioners’ 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.  *
                                   *
*************************

Robert J. Krakow, Law Office of Robert J. Krakow, P.C., New York, NY, for Petitioners.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                                   DECISION 1

       On February 5, 2009, Petitioners filed a Petition for Vaccine Compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”),2 alleging that various
vaccinations injured CC. The information in the record, however, 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this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.
       On June 12, 2015, Petitioners moved for a decision dismissing their petition,
acknowledging “that they will be unable to prove that they are entitled to compensation in the
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.” (Pet’rs’ Mot. Dismissing Pet. 1.)

        To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioners must prove either 1) that CC
suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding
to one of CC’s vaccinations, or 2) that CC 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 CC suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain a
medical expert’s opinion or any other persuasive evidence indicating that CC’s injury was
vaccine-caused.

        Under the Act, Petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on the
Petitioners’ 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 Petitioners’ claim, a medical opinion must be offered in
support. Petitioners, however, have offered no such opinion.

       Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that Petitioners have failed to
demonstrate either that CC suffered a “Table Injury” or that CC’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