VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00670
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00670
Petitioner: Nettie J. Foxx
Filed: 2016-09-19
Decided: 2016-10-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 
Condition: thoracic pain
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Nettie J. Foxx filed a petition for vaccine compensation on September 19, 2016, alleging that an influenza vaccination caused her to develop thoracic pain, radiating into her lower back and cervical regions. The decision notes that to receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a "Table Injury" or that the injury was actually caused by the vaccine. The record did not contain evidence of a Table Injury, nor did it provide persuasive evidence that the alleged injury was vaccine-caused. The court emphasized that claims cannot be based solely on the petitioner's assertions and must be supported by medical records or a competent physician's opinion. Since the petitioner failed to offer sufficient medical records or a supporting medical opinion, her claim could not be substantiated. Consequently, the case was dismissed for insufficient proof. The respondent did not file a response to the petitioner's motion for dismissal.

Theory of causation field:
unclear

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00670-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-10-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/19/2016) regarding 29 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:15-vv-00670-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/14/16 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-670V
(Filed: September 19, 2016)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
NETTIE J. FOXX, *
* Dismissal; Insufficient Proof;
Petitioner, * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
* Thoracic Pain.
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Randal Mathis, Esq., Mathis, Donheiser & Jeter, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Adriana Teitel, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION1
Roth, Special Master:
On June 29, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for Vaccine Compensation in the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”],2 alleging that an influenza vaccination
caused her to develop complaints of right lower quadrant abdominal pain radiating into her lower
back, thoracic and cervical regions. The information in the record, however, does not show
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.
1

Case 1:15-vv-00670-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/14/16 Page 2 of 2
entitlement to an award under the Program. On August 30, 2016 petitioner filed a “Motion for
Decision Dismissing her Petition” requesting that her case be dismissed. ECF No. 28.
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 she suffered a “Table Injury” or that her 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
2