{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254-1","petitioner_identifier":"Kailey Johnson","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":11.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":"2011-02-16","condition_raw":"Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (“POTS”)","condition_category":"dysautonomia","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2018-03-23","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:44:42.005325+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":3,"time_to_onset_days":295,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged that the HPV vaccine administered on February 16, 2011, to Kailey Johnson, then 11 years old, caused her to develop Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) through an autoimmune process, specifically molecular mimicry. Petitioner's expert, Dr. Yehuda Shoenfeld, opined that the HPV vaccine could trigger an autoimmune response via molecular mimicry, where the vaccine's components cross-react with the body's own structures, leading to POTS, which he characterized as an autoimmune condition. Dr. Shoenfeld cited literature suggesting homology between HPV vaccine components and human proteins, and noted the presence of a slightly elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) level in Petitioner. Respondent's expert, Dr. Kenneth Mack, a pediatric neurologist, contested this theory, stating there was no high-quality evidence linking the HPV vaccine to POTS and that POTS is not broadly an autoimmune condition. Dr. Mack emphasized that large-scale epidemiologic studies did not confirm a relationship between the HPV vaccine and autoimmune diseases or orthostatic intolerance. The Special Master found that the earliest POTS-like symptoms appeared around November 2012, approximately 21 months after vaccination, which was not a medically acceptable timeframe for causation. The Special Master also found Petitioner's theory of causation unreliable, citing insufficient evidence linking the HPV vaccine to POTS and questioning the autoimmune nature of the condition. The claim was denied.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2014-03-31","case_summary":"On March 31, 2014, Charmaine Johnson filed a petition on behalf of her minor daughter, Kailey Johnson, alleging that the third dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered on February 16, 2011, caused Kailey to develop Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other related symptoms, including leg pain, joint pain, difficulty breathing, eye drooping, and fatigue. The petition asserted that the HPV vaccine induced POTS through an autoimmune process. An entitlement hearing was held on October 3 and 12, 2017. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision on March 23, 2018, finding that the petitioner failed to meet her burden of proof. The Special Master determined that the onset of symptoms arguably related to POTS occurred approximately 21 months after vaccination, which exceeded the medically acceptable timeframe for causation. Furthermore, the petitioner did not establish a reliable theory of causation linking the HPV vaccine to POTS, nor did she prove that the vaccine was the actual cause of her condition. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of causation or name petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, or the specific dollar breakdown of any award, as the claim was denied. The decision notes that Kailey Johnson was 11 years old at the time of vaccination. The Special Master acknowledged the family's efforts but concluded that the evidence did not preponderate in favor of a vaccine-induced injury, leading to the denial of the claim. The decision was designated \"to be published\" and was subject to potential redaction of confidential information.","is_minor_inferred":null,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Kailey Johnson","petitioner_attorney_name":"Sean F. Greenwood","petitioner_attorney_firm":"The Greenwood Law Firm","petitioner_attorney_location":"Houston, TX","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:45:41","attorney_canonical_keys":"|sean-greenwood|","firm_canonical_key":"greenwood-law-firm","package_title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254-0","title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/06/2017) regarding 64 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sb) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-07-10","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-00254-1","title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/23/2018) Regarding 97 DECISION of Special Master (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-05-02","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":535575,"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-00254/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00254-2","title":"JOHNSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/03/2018) Regarding 105 DECISION of Special Master - Fees (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-08-02","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}