{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812-0","petitioner_identifier":"E.H.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (minor - age not in source, verified)","vaccine_type":"DTaP","vaccination_date":"2012-10-23","condition_raw":"seizure disorder and developmental delays","condition_category":"developmental_delay_regression","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2018-01-17","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:47:13.846530+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":null,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":15,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner George Hendrickson alleged that a DTaP vaccination administered on October 23, 2012, to minor E.H. caused or aggravated seizure disorder and developmental delays. The claim was filed on July 31, 2015. The respondent contended that E.H. had pre-existing seizures, that post-vaccine seizures were not different, and that E.H. had an SCN1A gene mutation associated with epilepsy. The Special Master, Thomas L. Gowen, noted that E.H. had seizures before the vaccine, the first post-vaccine seizure occurred approximately 15 days later (outside the typical 3-day window for DTaP-related seizures), and E.H. has an SCN1A gene mutation. Petitioner failed to provide expert reports, a VAERS report, or other evidence to support the claim, and did not respond to an order to show cause. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof and failure to prosecute. The theory of causation was not established, and the case did not involve a Table Injury. Petitioner was represented by Richard Gage, and respondent by Ryan Pyles. The decision date was January 17, 2018.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-07-31","case_summary":"George Hendrickson, as parent and next friend of E.H., a minor, filed a claim on July 31, 2015, alleging that a diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination administered to E.H. on October 23, 2012, caused or significantly aggravated E.H.'s seizure disorder and developmental delays. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, contended that the petitioner had not demonstrated entitlement to compensation through medical records, expert opinion, or medical literature. The respondent argued that E.H. exhibited seizure activity prior to the DTaP vaccination, that post-vaccination seizures were not significantly different from pre-vaccination seizures, and that E.H. possessed an SCN1A gene mutation causally associated with such seizure conditions. The Special Master, Thomas L. Gowen, reviewed the case. The medical records indicated that E.H. experienced seizures before the vaccination, with the first seizure following vaccination occurring approximately 15 days afterward, which is outside the typical 3-day window for DTaP-related seizures. The Special Master also noted that E.H. has an SCN1A gene mutation, which is associated with various epilepsy phenotypes and developmental disability, although the petitioner's expert neurologist contended this mutation did not cause E.H.'s specific seizures. The petitioner's counsel was granted multiple extensions to file additional expert reports, a VAERS report, or other supporting evidence. However, the petitioner repeatedly failed to meet deadlines and did not respond to an order to show cause. Consequently, Special Master Gowen dismissed the case for insufficient proof and failure to prosecute. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received by E.H. The petitioner was represented by Richard Gage of Richard Gage P.C., and the respondent was represented by Ryan Pyles of the United States Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Thomas L. Gowen","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Richard Gage","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Richard Gage P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Cheyenne, WY","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|richard-gage|","firm_canonical_key":"richard-gage","package_title":"HENDRICKSON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812-0","title":"HENDRICKSON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/28/2017) regarding 44 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (kb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-01-17","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":257348,"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-00812/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00812-1","title":"HENDRICKSON et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/26/18) regarding 50 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (kb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-12-27","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}