Court Opinion

ID: 2648004
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-01-02 15:49:49.474296+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:33:55.862039
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 08-612V
                                     Filed: December 6, 2013

                                           Not to be Published

*************************
ANAND NADAR and NIKETA CHHEDA, *
Parents of JAN, a minor           *
                                  *                           Autism; Petitioner’s Motion for a
                                  *                           Decision Dismissing the Insufficient
                     Petitioners, *                           Petition; Proof of Causation; Vaccine
              v.                  *                           Act Entitlement; Denial Without Hearing
                                  *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND           *
HUMAN SERVICES,                   *
                                  *
                     Respondent.  *
                                  *
*************************

                                                   DECISION 1

       On August 22, 2008, petitioners filed a Petition for Vaccine Compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”),2 alleging that various
vaccinations injured JAN. 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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to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 November 26, 2013, petitioners moved for a decision on the merits of the petition,
acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate entitlement to compensation.

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

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