{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578-0","petitioner_identifier":"Morgan A. Johnson","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":16.5,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":"2007-11-21","condition_raw":"Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2016-09-15","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:04:13.102907+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":2,"dose_number":1,"time_to_onset_days":120,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Morgan Johnson, born May 22, 1991, received three doses of the Gardasil HPV vaccine on November 21, 2007, March 5, 2008, and June 3, 2008, alleging she developed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Petitioner's expert, Yehuda Shoenfeld, M.D., proposed a theory that vaccine adjuvants, including aluminum in Gardasil, can cause autoimmune diseases like SLE by mimicking molecules and triggering an overactive immune response, asserting that any adjuvant can cause any autoimmune disease at any time. Respondent's expert, Carlos Daniel Rose, M.D., contested this broad theory. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman dismissed the petition, finding Petitioner failed to prove causation under the Althen standard. Prong One (medical theory) was not met because Dr. Shoenfeld's theory was deemed overbroad, generalized, and unmeasurable, lacking specific evidence linking Gardasil or aluminum adjuvants to SLE and failing to establish a scientifically reliable connection. Prongs Two (logical sequence) and Three (temporal proximity) were also not met, as the Special Master found the onset of symptoms, including significant weight loss over a year after the last vaccination and other symptoms appearing months later, inconsistent with a vaccine-induced injury. Alternative causes like sun exposure and genetic predisposition were considered more likely. Petitioner was represented by Franklin John Caldwell, Jr. (Maglio, Christopher & Toale), and Respondent by Lara Ann Englund (U.S. Department of Justice). The decision was issued on September 15, 2016.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2010-08-26","case_summary":"On August 26, 2010, Morgan Johnson, born May 22, 1991, petitioned for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. She alleged that she developed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as a result of receiving three doses of the Gardasil Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on November 21, 2007, March 5, 2008, and June 3, 2008. The respondent recommended against compensation, arguing that the claim was based on a post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. Petitioner presented an expert report from Yehuda Shoenfeld, M.D., who argued that vaccine adjuvants can cause autoimmune diseases. Respondent countered with an expert report from Carlos Daniel Rose, M.D., who contested this broad theory and suggested alternative causes. Special Master Daria Zane initially scheduled an entitlement hearing, but the case was reassigned to Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. After considering the record, Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman concluded that Petitioner failed to prove causation under the Althen standard and was not entitled to compensation. The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms leading to the diagnosis, the exact timing of symptom onset, or any specific diagnostic tests beyond laboratory findings. Petitioner was diagnosed with SLE by April 2009. The Special Master found Petitioner's expert's theory of causation to be overbroad and unpersuasive, positing that all adjuvants could cause any autoimmune disease at any time. The Special Master also determined that the timing of symptom onset was not consistent with a vaccine-induced injury, noting that significant weight loss occurred over a year after the last vaccination and other symptoms appeared months after the final dose. Alternative causes such as sun exposure and genetic predisposition were considered, with the Special Master agreeing with the respondent's expert that these were more likely causes than a temporally remote vaccination. The petition was dismissed for failure to meet the burden of proof. Petitioner was represented by Franklin John Caldwell, Jr. of Maglio, Christopher & Toale, and Respondent was represented by Lara Ann Englund of the United States Department of Justice. The decision was issued on September 15, 2016.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Franklin John Caldwell, Jr.","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Maglio, Christopher & Toale","petitioner_attorney_location":"Sarasota, FL","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|franklin-caldwell|","firm_canonical_key":"maglio-christopher-and-toale","package_title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578-0","title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/18/2016) regarding 78 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (ca1) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2016-09-15","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":396377,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578/USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_10-vv-00578-1","title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/14/2017) regarding 87 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (azc) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-05-09","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}