VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00687
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00687
Petitioner: C.T.
Filed: 2015-07-01
Decided: 2017-11-20
Vaccine: IPV, Hepatitis B, DTaP, Hib, Pheumococcal-13, and Rotavirus
Vaccination date: 2013-06-09
Condition: death
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Whitney Hill filed a petition on July 1, 2015, on behalf of her minor child, C.T., alleging that vaccinations received on or about June 9, 2013, resulted in his injuries and subsequent death. The vaccines administered included IPV, Hepatitis B, DTaP, Hib, Pneumococcal-13, and Rotavirus. The petitioner did not allege an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, classifying the claim as 'off-Table.' This classification required the petitioner to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the vaccine caused the injury and that any residual effects lasted more than six months. The public decision does not describe the specific injuries or symptoms C.T. experienced, nor does it detail the clinical course, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The petitioner, represented by Patricia A. Finn, Esq., filed a motion for a decision dismissing the petition on October 19, 2017. The respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Colleen C. Hartley, Esq. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth reviewed the evidence submitted. The Special Master concluded that the petitioner failed to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the vaccinations caused C.T.'s alleged injuries and subsequent death. The public decision does not name any experts or detail specific medical or scientific explanations presented by either party. Consequently, the petition was dismissed. Judgment was entered accordingly on November 20, 2017.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Whitney Hill, on behalf of minor C.T., alleged that IPV, Hepatitis B, DTaP, Hib, Pneumococcal-13, and Rotavirus vaccinations administered on or about June 9, 2013, caused C.T.'s death. This was an 'off-Table' claim, requiring proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the vaccine caused the injury and that residual effects lasted more than six months. The Special Master found that the petitioner failed to offer evidence showing that the vaccinations caused the alleged injuries and subsequent death. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, name any experts, or detail the medical or scientific evidence presented. The petition was dismissed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth on November 20, 2017. Petitioner was represented by Patricia A. Finn, Esq., and respondent by Colleen C. Hartley, Esq.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00687-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-11-20
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/24/2017) Regarding 44 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (JS) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00687-UNJ Document 45 Filed 11/20/17 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-687V
Filed: October 24, 2017
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WHITNEY HILL, on Behalf of *
C.T., Deceased Minor, *
*
Petitioner, * Dismissal; IPV, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria-
v. * Tetanus-acellular Pertussis (“DTaP”), Hib;
* Phneumococcal-13, and Rotavirus
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Vaccinations; Insufficient Proof of
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Causation
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Patricia A. Finn, Esq., Patricia Finn, P.C., Piermont, NY, for petitioner.
Colleen C. Hartley, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION DISMISSING THE PETITION1
Roth, Special Master:
On July 1, 2015, Whitney Hill (“Ms. Hill” or “petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation on behalf of her minor child, C.T., under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleged that the IPV, Hepatitis B, DTaP, Hib,
Pheumococcal-13, and Rotavirus vaccinations C.T. received on or about June 9, 2013, resulted in
his injuries and subsequent death. See Petition (“Pet.”), ECF No. 1.
On October 19, 2017, petitioner filed a Motion for a Decision Dismissing the Petition,
ECF No. 43.
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 (2012)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and
move to delete medical or other information that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 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 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter,
for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa (2012).
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Case 1:15-vv-00687-UNJ Document 45 Filed 11/20/17 Page 2 of 2
Under the Vaccine Act, a petitioner may prevail in one of two ways. First, a petitioner
may demonstrate that he suffered a “Table” injury—i.e., an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury
Table that occurred within the time period provided in the Table. § 11(c)(1)(C)(i). “In such a
case, causation is presumed.” Capizzano v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 440 F.3d 1317,
1320 (Fed. Cir. 2006); see § 13(a)(1)(B). Second, where the alleged injury is not listed in the
Vaccine Injury Table, a petitioner may demonstrate that he suffered an “off-Table” injury.
§ 11(c)(1)(C)(ii). An “off-Table” claim requires that the petitioner “prove by a preponderance of
the evidence that the vaccine at issue caused the injury.” Capizzano, 440 F.3d at 1320; see §
11(c)(1)(C)(ii)(II). A petitioner need not show that the vaccination was the sole cause, or even
the predominant cause, of the alleged injury; showing that the vaccination was a “substantial
factor” and a “but for” cause of the injury is sufficient for recovery. Pafford v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 451 F.3d 1352, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2006); Shyface v. Sec’y of Health & Human
Servs., 165 F.3d 1344, 1352 (Fed. Cir. 1999). In addition, the Vaccine Act requires petitioners to
show by preponderant evidence that the “residual effects or complications” of the alleged
vaccine-related injury lasted for more than six months. § 11(c)(1)(D)(i).
In this case, petitioner does not allege an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table; thus,
petitioner’s claim is classified as “off-Table,” which requires that she “prove by a preponderance
of the evidence that the vaccine at issue caused the injury.” Capizzano, 440 F.3d at 1320. “[T]o
show causation under the preponderance of the evidence standard,” a petitioner “must proffer
trustworthy testimony from experts who can find support for their theories in medical literature.”
LaLonde v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 746 F.3d 1334, 1341 (Fed. Cir. 2014); see also
Althen, 418 F.3d at 1278 (explaining that a petitioner’s claim must be “supported by ‘reputable
medical or scientific explanation,’ i.e., ‘evidence in the form of scientific studies or expert
medical testimony’” (citation and alteration omitted)); Shyface, 165 F.3d at 1351 (“[E]vidence in
the form of scientific studies or expert medical testimony is necessary to demonstrate causation.”
(citation and emphasis omitted)).
Upon careful evaluation of all of the evidence submitted in this matter, the undersigned
concludes that petitioner has not shown by preponderant evidence that she is entitled to
compensation under the Vaccine Act. Petitioner has failed to offer evidence showing that any of
the vaccinations C.T. received in June 2013 caused his alleged injuries and subsequent death.
The petition is therefore DISMISSED. The clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
2