Court Opinion

ID: 4355933
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-01-03 21:03:21.417229+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:23.388773
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                     OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         Filed: November 28, 2018

*************************
JOY PLEASANT,              *
                           *                                     No. 17-610V
               Petitioner, *                                     Special Master Sanders
v.                         *
                           *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
               Respondent. *
*************************

                                                    DECISION1

        On May 8, 2017, Joy Pleasant (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program”). 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34
(2012). Petitioner alleged that she suffered Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome,
Facial Palsy, and Right VII Nerve Paralysis as a result of the Hepatitis B vaccination she received
on May 7, 2014. Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. The information in the record, however, does not show
entitlement to an award under the Program.

       On November 26, 2018, Petitioner submitted a Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss her petition.
ECF No. 31. In her Motion, Petitioner conceded that “it appears that expert support may not be
forthcoming at this time.” Id. at 1. Petitioner continued, “[a]s a result of these circumstances, to
proceed further would be unreasonable and would waste the resources of the Court, the respondent,
and the Vaccine Program.” Id.

        To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that she
suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding
to the vaccination, or (2) that she suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See
§§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that
Petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence that
Petitioner’s alleged injuries were caused by the Hepatitis B vaccine.

1
  This decision shall be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, in accordance with the E
Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party 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, the undersigned
agrees that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, such material will be deleted from
public access.
2
  National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of
citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).
       Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims
alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent
physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim,
and Petitioner has not filed a supportive opinion from an expert witness. Therefore, this case must
be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                       s/Herbrina D. Sanders
                                       Herbrina D. Sanders
                                       Special Master

                                                  2