Court Opinion

ID: 4172001
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-05-26 12:05:33.589278+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:06.127332
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                            No. 16-807V
                                        Filed: April 25, 2017

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SHARLEE FUNAI,                                 *
                                               *
               Petitioner,                     *       Special Master Sanders
                                               *
v.                                             *
                                               *       Dismissal; Influenza (“Flu”)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                            *       Vaccine; Adverse Effects.
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                            *
                                               *
          Respondent.                          *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Diana L. Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Alexis B. Babcock, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                            DECISION1

       On July 7, 2016, Sharlee Funai (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”].2 Pet. 1, ECF No. 1. In an
amended petition filed August 19, 2016, she alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she
received on September 17, 2013 caused “adverse effects.” Amend. Pet. 1, ECF No. 12. The
information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program.

        On April 24, 2017, Petitioner moved for a decision dismissing her claim. Pet’r’s Mot.
Decision, ECF No. 25. Petitioner conceded that “[a]n investigation of the facts and science
supporting her case has demonstrated to Petitioner that she will be unable to prove that she is
entitled to compensation in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at 1. Petitioner filed this motion without
an objection from Respondent. Id. at 2.

1
  This decision shall be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 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 (2012)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each
party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party:
(1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential;
or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b).
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).
        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 her
alleged injury was caused by the influenza vaccination.

        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

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