VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00404
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00404
Petitioner: Stefon Garcia
Filed: 2014-07-11
Decided: 2014-08-05
Vaccine: DTaP, HiB, IPV, PCV, and Rotavirus
Vaccination date: 
Condition: death
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Lissa Garcia, trustee for the next-of-kin of Stefon Garcia, a deceased minor, filed a petition for vaccine compensation on May 12, 2014. The petition alleged that the DTaP, HiB, IPV, PCV, and Rotavirus vaccines caused Stefon Garcia's death on August 29, 2011. The petition was filed more than 24 months after the date of death, exceeding the statute of limitations. On June 27, 2014, the petitioner moved for a dismissal, acknowledging that the claim was untimely. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen issued a decision on August 5, 2014, dismissing the petition as untimely filed. The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of death. Petitioner counsel was Randall Knutson, Esq., and respondent counsel was Gordon Shemin, Esq. No award amount was granted as the case was dismissed.

Theory of causation field:
The petitioner alleged that the DTaP, HiB, IPV, PCV, and Rotavirus vaccines caused the death of Stefon Garcia on August 29, 2011. The petition was filed on May 12, 2014, which was more than 24 months after the date of death, thus exceeding the statute of limitations under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-16(a)(3). The petitioner moved for dismissal due to the untimely filing. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen dismissed the petition on August 5, 2014, as untimely. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccines allegedly caused death. Petitioner counsel was Randall Knutson, Esq., and respondent counsel was Gordon Shemin, Esq.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00404-0
Date issued/filed: 2014-08-05
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/11/2014) regarding 8 DECISION of Special Master (Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-00404-UNJ Document 13 Filed 08/05/14 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-404V
Filed: July 11, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LISSA GARCIA, trustee for *
the next-of-kin of STEFON GARCIA, *
a deceased minor, *
*
Petitioner, * Dismissal; Statute of Limitations;
v. * Death case
*
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Randall Knutson, Esq., Farrish Johnson Law Office, Mankato, MN for petitioner.
Gordon Shemin, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DISMISSAL DECISION1
Gowen, Special Master:
On May 12, 2014, petitioner filed a petition for Vaccine Compensation in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”],2 alleging that DTaP,
HiB, IPV, PCV, and Rotavirus vaccines caused Stefon Garcia’s death on August 29,
2011. The information in the record demonstrates that this petition was filed more than
24 months from the date of death and thus was untimely filed. See §16 (a)(3).
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 14 days to identify
and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further,
consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision.
If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will
delete such material from public access.
2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-
660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or
“the Act”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act.
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Case 1:14-vv-00404-UNJ Document 13 Filed 08/05/14 Page 2 of 2
On June 27, 2014, petitioner moved for a decision dismissing this petition
acknowledging that part or all of petitioner’s claim is beyond the statute of limitations.
Motion for a Dismissal Decision, filed July 3, 2014, para.1.
Accordingly, this petition is hereby dismissed as untimely filed. The Clerk
shall enter judgment accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Thomas L. Gowen
Thomas L. Gowen
Special Master
2