{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-0","petitioner_identifier":"Tyler Jossart","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":17.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":"2012-11-26","condition_raw":"postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)","condition_category":"dysautonomia","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2024-09-05","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:40:26.328165+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":1,"time_to_onset_days":7,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Tyler Jossart, a 17-year-old at the time of vaccination, received an HPV vaccine on November 26, 2012. He alleged that this vaccine caused or significantly aggravated his pre-existing condition of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Petitioner's expert, Dr. Lawrence Steinman, proposed molecular mimicry as the mechanism, suggesting that components of the HPV vaccine share amino acid sequences with adrenergic receptors, leading to an autoimmune response that exacerbates POTS. Dr. Steinman identified a homology of 5 out of 12 amino acids and cited research, including the work of Root-Bernstein, to support his theory. Respondent's experts, Dr. Christopher Gibbons and Dr. Lindsay Whitton, contested both the diagnosis of POTS and the causation theory. Dr. Gibbons stated Mr. Jossart did not meet POTS diagnostic criteria in 2012-2013, and Dr. Whitton argued that short amino acid homologies are common and not biologically significant, criticizing Dr. Steinman's methodology and reliance on flawed research. The Special Master, Christian J. Moran, found that Mr. Jossart failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he suffered from POTS in late 2012 or early 2013, as objective testing did not meet diagnostic criteria. The Special Master also rejected the molecular mimicry theory as unpersuasive due to a lack of specific evidence and reliance on flawed analysis, particularly criticizing the 5/12 amino acid homology threshold and the use of the Root-Bernstein paper. The claim was denied. Attorneys for petitioner were Danielle Strait and for respondent was Debra A. Filteau Begley. The decision date was September 5, 2024.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-11-13","case_summary":"On November 13, 2015, Tyler Jossart, a 17-year-old at the time of vaccination, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Mr. Jossart alleged that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, administered on November 26, 2012, caused or significantly aggravated his pre-existing condition of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, contested the claim. Petitioner was represented by Danielle Strait of Maglio Christopher & Toale, and respondent was represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice. Special Master Christian J. Moran issued the decision on September 5, 2024, denying compensation.\n\nMr. Jossart experienced various health issues prior to his HPV vaccination, including diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and syncope. Approximately one month after the vaccination, a treating physician, Dr. Grace Chelimsky, noted he suffered from \"borderline\" POTS. Petitioner's retained expert, neurologist Dr. Lawrence Steinman, opined that Mr. Jossart had POTS and that the HPV vaccine significantly aggravated his condition through a mechanism of molecular mimicry. Dr. Steinman also contended that Mr. Jossart's symptoms for about a year prior to the vaccination were manifestations of undiagnosed POTS.\n\nThe Secretary relied on two experts: Dr. Christopher Gibbons, a POTS specialist, and Dr. Lindsay Whitton, an immunology expert. Dr. Gibbons maintained that Mr. Jossart did not suffer from POTS in 2012 or 2013, and that the evidence does not support a link between the HPV vaccine and POTS. Dr. Whitton opined that the evidence does not support a finding that the HPV vaccine can aggravate POTS.\n\nSpecial Master Moran found the Secretary's positions persuasive on both the diagnosis of POTS and the causation issue. Regarding the diagnosis, the Special Master noted that while the evidence was close, Dr. Gibbons well explained that Mr. Jossart did not meet the diagnostic criteria for POTS, and his symptoms were generally not consistent with how POTS manifests. The \"borderline POTS\" diagnosis was not considered persuasive, especially as Dr. G. Chelimsky herself co-authored a consensus statement with other experts, including Dr. Gibbons, concluding that there is no data to support a causal relationship between HPV vaccination and POTS. The Special Master also found that Mr. Jossart failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he suffered from POTS in late 2012 or early 2013, as objective testing, including a tilt table test, did not meet diagnostic criteria. The Special Master also found that Mr. Jossart failed to demonstrate a scientifically plausible theory connecting the HPV vaccine to POTS, specifically rejecting Dr. Steinman's molecular mimicry theory due to a lack of specific evidence and reliance on flawed analysis.\n\nConsequently, the Special Master denied Mr. Jossart's claim for compensation. The decision noted that Mr. Jossart's health problems appeared to have abated after his move to Japan following college. The public decision does not describe the specific dollar amount or annuity terms, as compensation was denied.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Danielle Strait","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Maglio Christopher & Toale","petitioner_attorney_location":"Seattle, WA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|danielle-strait|","firm_canonical_key":"maglio-christopher-and-toale","package_title":"JOSSART v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-0","title":"JOSSART v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/22/2024) regarding 164 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (ceo) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-09-05","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":703219,"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-01377/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-1","title":"JOSSART v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 7/23/2024) regarding 170 Order on Motion to Redact Decision Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (ceo) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-09-06","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"docketText matches skip keyword 'motion'","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-cl-extra-10734292","title":"Jossart v. Secretary of Health and Human Services","docket_text":"Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10267702","date_issued":"2024-09-06","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"CL supplement: Jossart v. Secretary of Health and Human Services","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01377-cl-extra-10734292"}]}