{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-2","petitioner_identifier":"Anthony Ragusa","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2010-11-30","condition_raw":"transverse myelitis","condition_category":"transverse_myelitis","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2017-10-10","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T04:41:40.787997+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":39,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Anthony Ragusa alleged that an influenza vaccination received on November 30, 2010, caused him to suffer transverse myelitis. The petition was filed on January 15, 2014. The respondent argued the claim was barred by the statute of limitations. The Special Master found that Mr. Ragusa's numbness began around January 8, 2011, which was more than 36 months prior to the petition filing date. Dr. Herman Dick provided a report stating the transverse myelitis could have been caused by the flu vaccine or an upper respiratory infection, but also noted painful urination was due to a prostate infection, not transverse myelitis. The respondent argued Dr. Dick's report did not establish a sufficient causal link. The Special Master dismissed the case as untimely filed, finding no applicable exception to the statute of limitations and no equitable tolling arguments presented. The outcome was dismissal. Special Master Christian J. Moran issued the decision on October 10, 2017. Petitioner was represented by Mark Kreuger. Respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2014-01-15","case_summary":"Anthony Ragusa filed a petition on January 15, 2014, alleging that he suffered from transverse myelitis as a result of an influenza vaccination received on November 30, 2010. Mr. Ragusa was represented by attorney Mark Kreuger. He initially stated that his symptoms began in mid-January 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a report and motion to dismiss, asserting that the claim was barred by the statute of limitations because the medical records indicated an earlier onset of symptoms. Following an onset hearing, the Special Master found that Mr. Ragusa's painful urination began around January 4, 2011, his numbness began around January 8, 2011, and pain in his legs began on January 16, 2011. The Special Master's findings were issued on September 18, 2015. Mr. Ragusa's attorney, Mark Kreuger, later withdrew from the case, and Mr. Ragusa indicated he would proceed pro se. On April 4, 2017, Mr. Ragusa filed a report from Dr. Herman Dick, who stated that the transverse myelitis could have been caused by an upper respiratory infection in November 2010 or the flu vaccination on November 30, 2010. However, Dr. Dick also stated that painful urination was not a manifestation of transverse myelitis but was due to a prostate infection. The respondent filed a second motion to dismiss on June 5, 2017, reiterating that the petition was filed outside the 36-month statute of limitations, citing the Special Master's earlier findings of fact. The respondent also argued that Dr. Dick's report did not present a sufficient medical theory linking the flu vaccine to the transverse myelitis. Mr. Ragusa did not file a response to this motion. Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the case. The Special Master noted that the petition was filed on January 15, 2014, which is more than 36 months after the onset of numbness around January 8, 2011. The Special Master also noted the absence of any equitable tolling arguments. Consequently, the case was dismissed as untimely filed. The decision was issued on October 10, 2017.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Mark L. Krueger","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Krueger & Hernandez, S.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Baraboo, WI","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|mark-krueger|","firm_canonical_key":"krueger-hernandez-and-thompson","package_title":"RAGUSA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-0","title":"RAGUSA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/18/2015) regarding 45 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (tpj) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2015-10-20","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":203551,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'findings of fact'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-1","title":"RAGUSA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/18/2016) regarding 58 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (SP) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2016-03-14","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-2","title":"RAGUSA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/7/17) regarding 78 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (MRG) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-10-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":198008,"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_14-vv-00032/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00032-2"}]}