VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01414
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01414
Petitioner: J.T.
Filed: 2015-11-23
Decided: 2016-02-16
Vaccine: MMR
Vaccination date: 2015-01-30
Condition: Type 1 Diabetes
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On November 23, 2015, Kimberly and David Tait filed a petition on behalf of their minor child, J.T., seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. They alleged that J.T. developed Type 1 Diabetes as a result of receiving DTaP, Hib, IPV, and MMR vaccinations on January 30, 2015. The petitioners were represented by Andrew D. Downing of Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC. The respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Robert P. Coleman, III of the United States Department of Justice. On February 12, 2016, the petitioners filed a motion to dismiss their own petition, stating that after investigation, they recognized they would likely be unable to meet their burden of proof to establish entitlement to compensation. They understood that a dismissal would result in a judgment against them and end J.T.'s rights in the Vaccine Program. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey presided over the case. To receive compensation, the petition stated, petitioners must prove either a Table Injury corresponding to the vaccination or that the injury was actually caused by a vaccine. The record did not contain evidence of a Table Injury, nor did the petitioners allege one. Furthermore, the record lacked a medical expert's opinion or other persuasive evidence indicating that J.T.'s Type 1 Diabetes was caused by the vaccinations. Because the medical records were insufficient and no medical opinion was offered, the petitioners failed to demonstrate entitlement. Consequently, the case was dismissed for insufficient proof.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioners Kimberly and David Tait, on behalf of minor J.T., alleged that DTaP, Hib, IPV, and MMR vaccinations administered on January 30, 2015, caused Type 1 Diabetes. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation or any medical expert opinions presented. Petitioners later moved to dismiss their petition, acknowledging they could not meet their burden of proof. The Special Master noted that entitlement requires proof of a Table Injury or actual causation by a vaccine. The record lacked evidence of a Table Injury and no medical expert opinion or other persuasive evidence was presented to establish actual causation. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued the decision. Attorneys for petitioners were Andrew D. Downing and for respondent Robert P. Coleman, III. The decision date was February 16, 2016.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01414-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-03-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/16/2016) regarding 13 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlf) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:15-vv-01414-UNJ Document 17 Filed 03/08/16 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
(Filed: February 16, 2016)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
KIMBERLY TAIT and DAVID TAIT * No. 15-1414V
on behalf of their minor child, J.T., *
* Chief Special Master Dorsey
Petitioners, *
* Dismissal; MMR Vaccine; DTaP
v. * Vaccine; IPV Vaccine; Hib Vaccine;
* Type 1 Diabetes
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Andrew D. Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioners.
Robert P. Coleman, III, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION DISMISSING PETITION1
On November 23, 2015, Kimberly and David Tait (“petitioners”) filed a petition on
behalf of their minor child, J.T., for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Act of
1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (2012) (“Vaccine Act”). Petitioners alleged that as a result
of receiving DTaP, Hib, IPV, and MMR vaccinations on January 30, 2015, J.T. developed Type
1 Diabetes. Petition at Preamble, ¶¶ 9, 11.
On February 12, 2016, petitioners filed a motion for a decision dismissing their petition.
In the motion, petitioners state that after investigation into their claim, they “recognize they will
likely be unable to meet their burden of proof and establish that J.T. is entitled to compensation
in the Vaccine Program.” Motion for Decision at ¶ 3. Petitioners state that they understand that
a decision by the Special Master will result in a judgment against them, and that such a judgment
will end all rights of J.T.’s rights in the Vaccine Program. Id. at ¶ 5.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 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.

Case 1:15-vv-01414-UNJ Document 17 Filed 03/08/16 Page 2 of 2
To receive compensation under the Program, petitioners must prove either 1) that J.T.
suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding
to her vaccination, or 2) that J.T. suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See
§§ 300aa-13(a)(1)(A) and 300aa-11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any
evidence that J.T. suffered a “Table Injury,” nor do petitioners allege that he suffered a “Table
Injury.” Further, the record does not contain a medical expert’s opinion or any other persuasive
evidence indicating that J.T.’s injury was caused by the vaccinations he received on January 30,
2015.
Under the Vaccine Act, a petitioner may not be awarded compensation based solely on
the petitioner’s claims. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical records or by
the opinion of a competent physician. § 300aa-13(a)(1). In this case, because the medical
records are insufficient to establish entitlement to compensation, a medical opinion must be
offered in support. Petitioners, however, have not offered such an opinion.
Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioners have failed to
demonstrate either that J.T. suffered a “Table Injury” or that his injuries were caused-in-fact by
vaccination. Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof. In the absence of a motion
for review, the Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora B. Dorsey
Nora B. Dorsey
Chief Special Master