J.R. v. HHS - Hepatitis A, dystonia musculorum deformans (2016)

Sabrina Santacroce, on behalf of her minor son J.R., filed a petition on June 1, 2015, alleging that the Varivax, Prevnar, and hepatitis A vaccines administered on March 8, 2013, caused J.R. to develop dystonia musculorum deformans. J.R. was born on July 1, 2011.

The petition was filed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. On December 1, 2016, petitioner filed a motion to dismiss the petition, stating that she would likely be unable to meet her burden of proof regarding scientific and medical causation and that proceeding further would be unreasonable and waste resources.

The Special Master granted the motion and dismissed the case. The decision noted that J.R. received other vaccinations on April 27, 2012, and August 14, 2013.

Medical records indicated that J.R. was neurologically normal, had normal developmental milestones, and did not have seizures. His abnormal movements and crying appeared to be behavioral and possibly triggered by emotional stimuli, with treating doctors suggesting a referral to a behavioral specialist.

The public decision does not describe petitioner counsel, respondent counsel, or the specific mechanism of causation alleged beyond the vaccines and the condition. The court found that the medical records did not support the petitioner's allegations and that she had not filed an expert report.

Therefore, the case was dismissed.