Court Opinion

ID: 2757617
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-04 17:01:38.398221+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:55.479847
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                            No. 08-915V
                                     Filed: November 12, 2014
                                        Not to be Published

*************************
                              *
CHAD A. AESCHLIMANN and       *
LAURA A. AESCHLIMANN,         *
parents and natural guardians *
of T.R.A., 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.            *
                              *
*************************

                                              DECISION1

       On December 23, 2008, Petitioners filed a Petition for Vaccine Compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”),2 alleging that various
vaccinations injured T.R.A.

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 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to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 11, 2014, Petitioners moved for a decision dismissing the petition,
acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate entitlement to compensation.
I agree with Petitioners that the information in the record does not show entitlement to an award
under the Program.

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

       Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that Petitioners have failed to
demonstrate either that T.R.A. suffered a “Table Injury” or that T.R.A.’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