{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-2","petitioner_identifier":"Y.Q.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":1.25,"age_unit_raw":"years (about 15 months; born December 2006)","vaccine_type":"measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)","vaccination_date":"2008-03-28","condition_raw":"MMR-associated febrile seizure with seizure disorder/epilepsy, sensory integration disorder, and behavioral changes as sequelae","condition_category":"seizure_disorder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":1954724.43,"decision_date":"2020-12-02","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:29:17.921097+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":4,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioners alleged that the MMR vaccine administered on March 28, 2008, to Y.Q., then approximately 15 months old, caused a febrile seizure on April 1, 2008, approximately 4.5 days later, which led to subsequent seizure disorder, sensory integration disorder, and behavioral changes. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Yuval Shafrir, a pediatric neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist, advanced theories of immune-mediated injury, including chronic autoimmune encephalopathy, molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading. Special Master Christian J. Moran found that the MMR vaccine can cause febrile seizures, as supported by the Institute of Medicine and the respondent's admission. The Special Master determined that the 4.5-day interval between vaccination and the first seizure was medically acceptable, citing epidemiologic studies and the Vaccine Injury Table's encephalopathy interval. Dr. Shafrir's opinion that the MMR vaccine caused Y.Q.'s first febrile seizure was credited. The Special Master also found that Y.Q. suffered lasting neurological and behavioral sequelae for more than six months, despite some treating neurologists finding her neurologically intact at discharge and the evidence being described as relatively thin. Respondent's expert, Dr. Gregory Holmes, a pediatric neurologist and epilepsy specialist, disputed the autoimmune encephalopathy diagnosis, citing a lack of supporting clinical and laboratory findings, and argued that the proposed immune mechanisms were unproven and the timing too short. He also contended that Y.Q.'s later seizures and behavioral problems were not shown to be sequelae of the first febrile seizure. Special Master Moran ultimately ruled in favor of entitlement on September 4, 2019, and awarded damages on December 2, 2020, totaling $1,954,724.43 in lump sums plus an annuity for future life care. Attorneys for petitioners were Ramon Rodriguez III of Sands Anderson PC, and for respondent was Christine M. Becer.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2011-03-11","case_summary":"On March 11, 2011, Bryan and Donna Quinones filed a petition on behalf of their minor daughter, Y.Q., alleging that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered on March 28, 2008, caused Y.Q. to develop a seizure disorder, sensory integration disorder, and behavioral changes. The respondent denied entitlement. Following an entitlement hearing, Special Master Christian J. Moran ruled in favor of the petitioners on September 4, 2019, finding them entitled to compensation. The case then proceeded to the damages phase. On December 2, 2020, Special Master Moran issued a decision awarding damages based on a proffer agreed upon by both parties. The award included a lump sum of $658,221.20 for trust seed funds and first-year life-care expenses, payable to Midland Trust Company as trustee. An additional lump sum of $1,261,309.00 was awarded for lost future earnings and pain and suffering, payable to the petitioners as guardians. Petitioners also received $13,429.07 for past unreimbursable expenses and $21,765.16 to satisfy a New York State Medicaid lien. Future life-care compensation was to be provided through an annuity. Petitioners were represented by Ramon Rodriguez III of Sands Anderson PC.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Ramon Rodriguez, III","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Sands Anderson PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Richmond, VA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|ramon-rodriguez|","firm_canonical_key":"sands-anderson","package_title":"QUINONES et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-0","title":"QUINONES et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/16/2019) regarding 191 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (mkt) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-08-19","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-1","title":"QUINONES et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/04/2019) regarding 198 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (hh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-09-30","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":345488,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-2","title":"QUINONES et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/02/2020) regarding 237 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (Attachments: # (1) Proffer, # (2) Proffer Tab A) (hh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-12-29","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":251946,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-2"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00154-3","title":"QUINONES et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/2/23) regarding 255 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (jm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-10-04","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}