{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-1","petitioner_identifier":"Douglas Tullio","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":69.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2012-09-29","condition_raw":"rheumatoid arthritis","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2019-12-19","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:36:10.570431+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":7,"theory_of_causation":"Off-Table","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-01-20","case_summary":"Douglas Tullio, a 69-year-old man, received a high-dose influenza vaccine on September 29, 2012. Approximately one week later, he began experiencing pain and weakness in his legs, which progressed to diffuse body pain. Initially, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was considered, and he was treated for it, but his condition did not improve significantly. A second opinion suggested he see a rheumatologist. He was eventually diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by Dr. Sheri Hsu. Mr. Tullio filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging the flu vaccine caused his RA. The case proceeded as an off-Table claim, meaning he had to prove causation. The court considered expert testimony and scientific literature regarding potential causal links, including epidemiology and the theory of molecular mimicry. The Special Master found that Mr. Tullio failed to establish a persuasive medical theory connecting the flu vaccine to his rheumatoid arthritis, noting that epidemiological studies did not show an increased risk of RA after flu vaccination and that the mechanistic evidence was insufficient. The court also found that Mr. Tullio did not establish a logical sequence of cause and effect. Although the temporal relationship between vaccination and symptom onset was within an acceptable window, the lack of a proven causal theory led to the denial of compensation. The decision was later reviewed by a judge, who upheld the Special Master's findings, concluding that the Special Master's decision was not arbitrary or capricious.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Danielle Anne Strait; Jennifer Ann Gore Maglio","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Maglio, Christopher & Toale (WA); Maglio Christopher and Toale, P.A.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Seattle, WA; Sarasota, FL","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|danielle-strait|jennifer-maglio|","firm_canonical_key":"maglio-christopher-and-toale","package_title":"TULLIO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-0","title":"TULLIO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/19/2019) regarding 131 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (hh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-01-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":637689,"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-00051/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-1","title":"TULLIO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"JUDGE VACCINE REPORTED OPINION. Signed by Senior Judge Marian Blank Horn. (kee) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-07-22","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":526656,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'opinion'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00051-2","title":"TULLIO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/10/2021) regarding 156 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-12-09","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}