VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00100
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00100
Petitioner: MARIA ECHEVARRIA, Individually and as guardian of the late D.E.
Filed: 2015-02-02
Decided: 2016-10-12
Vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate
Vaccination date: 
Condition: RSV bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and metabolic disease
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Maria Echevarria, individually and as guardian of the late minor child D.E., filed a petition for vaccine compensation on February 2, 2015. The petition alleged that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccination caused D.E. to develop RSV bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and metabolic disease, leading to his death. The Special Master reviewed the record and found that it did not contain sufficient evidence to prove entitlement to an award. The public decision does not describe the specific date of vaccination, the child's age at vaccination, the onset of symptoms, specific medical records, or competent physician opinions. There was no evidence of a "Table Injury" as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Furthermore, the record lacked persuasive evidence indicating that D.E.'s alleged injuries were vaccine-caused or vaccine-related. Petitioner's counsel was Patricia Finn, Esq., and respondent's counsel was Gordon Shemin, Esq. On August 29, 2016, petitioner filed a motion to dismiss her own case, which was granted. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth on October 12, 2016.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Maria Echevarria alleged that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccination caused her minor child, D.E., to develop RSV bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and metabolic disease, leading to death. The petition was filed on February 2, 2015. The Special Master found no evidence of a "Table Injury" and insufficient medical records or competent physician opinions to demonstrate that the alleged injuries were vaccine-caused. Petitioner subsequently filed a motion to dismiss her own case, which was granted on August 29, 2016, and the case was dismissed for insufficient proof by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth on October 12, 2016. Petitioner's counsel was Patricia Finn, Esq., and respondent's counsel was Gordon Shemin, Esq. The public decision does not specify the vaccination date, age at vaccination, symptoms, or a proposed mechanism of causation.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00100-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-10-12
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/16/2016) regarding 34 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00100-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/12/16 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-100V
(Filed: September 16, 2016)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
MARIA ECHEVARRIA, *
Individually and as guardian of *
the late D.E., *
* Dismissal; Pneumococcal Conjugate;
Petitioner, * Pneumonia; Metabolic Disease;
* Insufficient Proof
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Patricia Finn, Esq., Patricia Finn. P.C., Piermont, NY, for petitioner.
Gordon Shemin, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION1
Roth, Special Master:
On February 2, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for Vaccine Compensation in the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”],2 alleging that a pneumococcal
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), petitioner
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 1:15-vv-00100-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/12/16 Page 2 of 2
vaccination caused her minor child, D.E., to develop RSV bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and metabolic
disease, which lead to his death. The information in the record, however, does not show entitlement
to an award under the Program. On August 29, 2016 petitioner filed a “Motion for Decision
Dismissing the Petition” requesting that her case be dismissed. ECF No. 33. Respondent did not
file a response. Thus, this matter is ripe for decision.
To receive compensation under the Program, petitioner must prove either 1) that she
suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding
to his vaccination, or 2) that she suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See §§
13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that
petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence
indicating that petitioner’s alleged injury was vaccine-caused or in any way vaccine-related.
Under the Act, petitioner may not be given a Program award based solely on the
petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical records or by
the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, because there are insufficient
medical records supporting petitioner’s claim, a medical opinion must be offered in support.
Petitioner, however, has offered no such opinion that supports a finding of entitlement.
Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioner has failed to
demonstrate either that D.E. suffered a “Table Injury” or that D.E.’s injuries were “actually
caused” by a vaccination. Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall
enter judgment accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
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