VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00071
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00071
Petitioner: Korrine Herlth
Filed: 2016-01-13
Decided: 2020-07-27
Vaccine: HPV
Vaccination date: 2013-12-03
Condition: seizures, autonomic dysfunction, neuropathy, dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and syncopal episodes
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 13, 2016, Andrea Herlth filed a petition for compensation in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on behalf of her then-minor child, Korrine Herlth. Korrine Herlth was later substituted as the petitioner. Petitioner alleged that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, received on December 3, 2013, caused her to develop seizures, autonomic dysfunction, neuropathy, dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and syncopal episodes. The respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Petitioner was represented by Andrew Downing, Esq., and respondent was represented by Voris Johnson, Esq. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth presided over the case. The public decision does not describe the specific clinical story, onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments. On June 17, 2020, the petitioner filed a Motion for Dismissal Decision. To receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a "Table Injury" listed in the Vaccine Injury Table or that the injury was actually caused by a vaccine. The Special Master reviewed the record and found insufficient medical evidence to support a claim that the HPV vaccine caused the alleged injuries, nor was there evidence of a Table Injury. The record did not contain persuasive evidence indicating the alleged injury was vaccine-caused or vaccine-related. The petition was not supported by sufficient medical records or the opinion of a competent physician supporting entitlement. Consequently, the Special Master determined that the petitioner failed to demonstrate entitlement to compensation. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof, and the Clerk was ordered to enter judgment accordingly. The public decision does not specify any award amount or annuity terms.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Korrine Herlth, age 13, received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on December 3, 2013. She alleged the vaccine caused seizures, autonomic dysfunction, neuropathy, dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and syncopal episodes. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth on July 27, 2020. The petitioner failed to demonstrate a "Table Injury" or that the injury was "actually caused" by the vaccine, as required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The record lacked sufficient medical records or competent physician opinions to support a finding of entitlement. The public decision does not specify a theory of causation, name medical experts, describe a mechanism of injury, or provide an award breakdown.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00071-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-07-27
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/2/2020) regarding 116 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:16-vv-00071-UNJ Document 122 Filed 07/27/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-71V
Filed: July 2, 2020
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KORRINE HERLTH, *
* Dismissal; Human Papillomavirus
Petitioner, * (“HPV”); Autonomic Dysfunction;
* Seizures; Neuropathy; Dizziness;
v. * Nausea; Vertigo; Syncopal Episodes
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Andrew Downing, Esq., Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ for petitioner.
Voris Johnson, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION1
Roth, Special Master:
On January 13, 2016, Andrea Herlth filed a petition for compensation in the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”)2 on behalf of her then-minor child,
Korrine Herlth. Korrine Herlth (“Ms. Herlth” or “petitioner”) was substituted as petitioner on
March 20, 2017. ECF No. 32. Petitioner alleges that the human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccine
she received on December 3, 2013, caused her to develop seizures, autonomic dysfunction,
neuropathy, dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and syncopal episodes. See Petition, ECF No. 1. The
1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-
347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision
will be available to anyone with access to the internet. However, the parties may object to the Decision’s
inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party
has fourteen days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is
a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes
medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole Decision will be available to the public. Id.
2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the
Act”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act.

Case 1:16-vv-00071-UNJ Document 122 Filed 07/27/20 Page 2 of 2
information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program. On
June 17, 2020, petitioner filed a Motion for Dismissal Decision requesting that her case be
dismissed. ECF No. 115.
To receive compensation under the Program, petitioner must prove either 1) that she
suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding
to his vaccination, or 2) that she suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See §§
13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that
petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence
indicating that petitioner’s alleged injury was vaccine-caused or in any way vaccine-related.
Under the Act, petitioner may not be given a Program award based solely on the petitioner’s
claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical records or by the opinion
of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, there are insufficient medical records supporting
petitioner’s claim. Although petitioner offered medical opinions, none of the medical opinions
offered supported a finding of entitlement.
Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioner has failed to demonstrate
either that she suffered a “Table Injury” or that her injuries were “actually caused” by a
vaccination. Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment
accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
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