{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341-0","petitioner_identifier":"S.B.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":0.75,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"Hepatitis A and influenza","vaccination_date":"2011-11-11","condition_raw":"anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (“anti-NMDAR”) encephalitis","condition_category":"encephalitis_encephalopathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2019-05-28","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T04:42:32.626538+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":2,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":14,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioners alleged that the Hepatitis A and influenza vaccines administered on November 11, 2011, caused S.B.'s anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Murray Engel, opined that the vaccines triggered an immune-mediated response, leading to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and subsequent entry of NMDA receptor antibodies into the brain. Respondent's expert, Dr. Eric Lancaster, argued that infections are more likely triggers for anti-NMDAR encephalitis than vaccines and that the proposed vaccine mechanism was not scientifically sound, particularly regarding the generation of specific antibodies. The Special Master found that Petitioners failed to establish a sound medical theory causally connecting the vaccines to the injury (Althen prong one), as they did not articulate a mechanism by which the vaccines create the specific antibody necessary for anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and that they failed to demonstrate a logical sequence of cause and effect (Althen prong two). The temporal relationship was met (Althen prong three). Entitlement was denied. Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued the decision on May 28, 2019. Petitioners' counsel was Ronald Craig Homer, and Respondent's counsel was Claudia Barnes Gangi.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-03-18","case_summary":"On April 23, 2014, Kenneth and Jayme Baron filed a petition on behalf of their minor daughter, S.B., alleging that the Hepatitis A and influenza vaccines administered on November 11, 2011, caused her to develop anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis. S.B. was born healthy on February 10, 2010. Following vaccination, S.B. reportedly developed symptoms including behavioral changes, irritability, and left-sided motor deficits. She was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis on January 11, 2012. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Murray Engel, opined that the vaccines triggered an immune-mediated response leading to the encephalitis. Respondent's expert, Dr. Eric Lancaster, disagreed, arguing that infections are more likely triggers for anti-NMDAR encephalitis than vaccines and that the proposed vaccine mechanism was not scientifically sound. The Special Master found that Petitioners failed to establish a medical theory causally connecting the vaccines to S.B.'s anti-NMDAR encephalitis (Althen prong one) and failed to demonstrate a logical sequence of cause and effect showing the vaccines were the reason for the injury (Althen prong two). Although the temporal relationship was met (Althen prong three), the failure on the first two prongs led the Special Master to deny entitlement to compensation. S.B. is reportedly doing well. The decision was issued by Special Master Herbrina Sanders on May 28, 2019. Petitioners were represented by Ronald Craig Homer, and Respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Ronald Craig Homer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Conway, Homer, P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Boston, MA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|ronald-homer|","firm_canonical_key":"conway-homer","package_title":"BARON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341-0","title":"BARON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/18/2019) regarding 92 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (rs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-05-28","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":671700,"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-00341/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00341-1","title":"BARON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/06/2019) regarding 101 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (nh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-09-09","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}