{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-0","petitioner_identifier":"Bettina McGill","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"pneumococcal conjugate","vaccination_date":"2014-11-07","condition_raw":"small fiber neuropathy","condition_category":"small_fiber_neuropathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2023-06-05","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:40:44.264407+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":2,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Off-Table","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-12-08","case_summary":"Bettina McGill, an adult, received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and an influenza (flu) vaccine on November 7, 2014. She alleged that these vaccinations caused her to develop small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Initially, she also claimed interstitial lung disease (ILD) and myofascial pain syndrome, but later withdrew the claims for ILD and myofascial pain syndrome, proceeding solely with her SFN claim. The case was brought as an off-Table claim, meaning Ms. McGill had to prove a causal link between the vaccines and her SFN. She presented expert testimony from neurologist Dr. Carlo Tornatore, who proposed two theories: molecular mimicry and an interferon gamma (IFN-γ) mediated response. Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, presented expert testimony from immunologist Dr. J. Lindsay Whitton and neurologist Dr. Jeffrey M. Gelfand, who contested both Ms. McGill's diagnosis and the proposed causation theories. The court considered Ms. McGill's extensive pre-existing autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and myositis, as potential alternative causes for her SFN. After reviewing the medical records, expert testimony, and legal arguments, the Special Master concluded that Ms. McGill failed to establish a sound and reliable medical theory connecting the vaccines to her SFN, particularly concerning the rapid onset of her symptoms. The court also found that her treating physicians' opinions were equivocal and did not preponderantly support vaccine causation. Ultimately, the petition was dismissed for failure to meet the burden of proof under the Althen test for causation-in-fact.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Daniel T. Horner","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Renee J. Gentry","petitioner_attorney_firm":"George Washington University Law School","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|renee-gentry|","firm_canonical_key":"george-washington-university-law-school","package_title":"MCGILL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-0","title":"MCGILL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/11/2023) regarding 154 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (st) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-06-05","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":595695,"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-01485/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-1","title":"MCGILL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/28/2024) regarding 160 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-11-21","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01485-2","title":"MCGILL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 3/18/2025) regarding 165 Order on Motion for Relief from Judgment. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (ksb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-04-21","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"docketText matches skip keyword 'motion'","download_status":"skipped"}]}