Gaena Maria Laney v. HHS - other (2017)

Gaena Maria Laney filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 14, 2014, alleging injury from a vaccine listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Initially represented by counsel, Ms.

Laney's attorney was permitted to withdraw on March 17, 2016. Following a status conference on May 4, 2016, Ms.

Laney, who was representing herself, was ordered to file a status report by July 5, 2016, regarding her progress in retaining new counsel. After no report was filed, the court attempted to contact Ms.

Laney multiple times on October 25, 2016, to schedule a status conference, but she did not answer. Subsequently, an Order to Show Cause was issued on October 31, 2016, requiring Ms.

Laney to file a status report or show cause why her case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute by December 6, 2016. Ms.

Laney failed to respond to this order or contact the court. Consequently, the Special Master dismissed the case on January 5, 2017, for failure to prosecute and failure to follow court orders.

No specific vaccine injury or compensation was discussed as the case was dismissed on procedural grounds.