{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-1","petitioner_identifier":"Z.D.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":1.58,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2012-01-12","condition_raw":"seizure disorder","condition_category":"seizure_disorder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2024-04-24","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:36:02.881183+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":3,"dose_number":3,"time_to_onset_days":1,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioners alleged that DTaP, IPV, Hib, and flu vaccinations administered on January 12, 2012, caused Z.D. to develop a seizure disorder, specifically non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) which led to epilepsy and speech delays. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Marcel Kinsbourne, opined that the vaccinations activated the innate immune system, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1beta, which can cause fever and seizures. He argued that Z.D.'s initial seizure was NCSE, a prolonged seizure that lowered his seizure threshold, leading to epilepsy and developmental issues. Respondent's expert, Dr. John Zempel, and Z.D.'s treating physicians concluded the initial event was a simple febrile seizure, which is not causally linked to epilepsy or long-term neurological damage. The Special Master found the contemporaneous medical records, describing a brief, tonic-clonic seizure with fever, more persuasive than later testimony. The Special Master determined Z.D. suffered a simple febrile seizure, not NCSE, and that petitioners failed to establish a reputable medical theory or logical sequence of cause and effect linking the vaccinations to Z.D.'s seizure disorder and speech apraxia, thus failing the Althen test for off-Table injuries. The petition was denied.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-01-05","case_summary":"On January 5, 2015, William and Nicole Davis filed a petition on behalf of their minor son, Z.D., alleging that DTaP, IPV, Hib, and flu vaccinations administered on January 12, 2012, caused Z.D. to develop a seizure disorder. The petition alleged that Z.D. suffered a vaccine-induced prolonged febrile seizure resulting in neurological damage and a seizure disorder. Petitioners argued that the initial seizure was non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), which they contended led to Z.D.'s subsequent seizure disorder and speech delays. Respondent argued that Z.D. suffered a simple febrile seizure, which is not associated with long-term neurological damage or epilepsy. The Special Master, Mindy Michaels Roth, reviewed the medical records and expert testimony. Petitioners' expert, Dr. Marcel Kinsbourne, opined that Z.D.'s initial seizure was NCSE, a variant of status epilepticus, and that this prolonged seizure lowered Z.D.'s seizure threshold, leading to epilepsy and associated developmental issues. Respondent's expert, Dr. John Zempel, agreed with Z.D.'s treating physicians that the initial event was a simple febrile seizure, which is typically benign and does not cause long-term neurological damage or epilepsy. Dr. Zempel stated that there is no evidence that simple febrile seizures cause long-term neurological dysfunction or epilepsy. The Special Master found that the contemporaneous medical records, which described the event as a brief, tonic-clonic seizure associated with fever, were more persuasive than later testimony and affidavits. The Special Master concluded that Z.D. suffered a simple febrile seizure within 24 hours of vaccination, which is a common occurrence in children and not typically associated with long-term neurological damage or epilepsy. The Special Master found that petitioners failed to establish a reputable medical theory or a logical sequence of cause and effect linking the vaccinations to Z.D.'s seizure disorder and speech apraxia, failing to meet the requirements of the Althen test for off-Table injuries. Therefore, the petition was denied.","is_minor_inferred":null,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Mindy Michaels Roth","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Mark Sadaka","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Englewood, NJ","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|mark-sadaka|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-sadaka-associates","package_title":"DAVIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-0","title":"DAVIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/29/2019) regarding 79 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-08-26","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-1","title":"DAVIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/28/2024) regarding 128 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (msg) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-04-24","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":707725,"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_15-vv-00008/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00008-2","title":"DAVIS et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/3/2025) regarding 136 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (msg) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-01-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}