Middleton v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: April 30, 2019 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EMILY MIDDLETON, * No. 17-1910V * Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders * v. * * Dismissal; Insufficient Proof; Human SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Papilloma Virus (“HPV”) Vaccine AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DISMISSAL1 On December 8, 2017, Emily Middleton (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program” or “Program”).2 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that she developed “Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or other neurologic and physical impairments and other injuries” as a result of the Human Papilloma Virus (“HPV”) vaccinations she received on May 28, 2015, August 14, 2015, and/or February 29, 2016. Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. The information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program. On April 22, 2019, Petitioner filed a motion for a decision dismissing her petition. ECF No. 37. In her motion, Petitioner conceded that she “has been unable to secure evidence to prove entitlement to compensation in the [V]accine [P]rogram.” Id. at 1. Petitioner continued, “to proceed further would be unreasonable and would waste the resources of the court, Respondent, and the [V]accine [P]rogram.” Id. 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). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. 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 (“the Vaccine Act” or “Act”). 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 Petitioner’s alleged injuries were caused by any of the HPV vaccines she received. 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 of the Court shall enter judgment accordingly.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D. Sanders Herbrina D. Sanders Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2