VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00195
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00195
Petitioner: J.B.
Filed: 2016-02-08
Decided: 2020-08-04
Vaccine: DTaP
Vaccination date: 2013-02-14
Condition: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 8, 2016, Jay P. Bhattacharyya and Farrah E. Bhattacharyya, parents of J.B., a minor, filed a claim under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. They alleged that their child developed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus as a result of receiving the third dose of the diphtheria tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine on February 14, 2013. The petitioners initially supported their claim with an expert report from Dr. Francis W. Ruscetti, and the respondent filed an opposing expert report from Dr. Penelope A. Morel. Supplemental reports were also filed by both parties. However, on July 27, 2020, the petitioners informed the court that they would no longer rely on Dr. Ruscetti's expert opinion. Subsequently, on August 3, 2020, the petitioners filed a Motion for a Decision Dismissing the Petition, stating they were unable to prove entitlement to compensation and that further proceedings would be unreasonable and a waste of resources. The respondent did not oppose the dismissal but reserved the right to question the good faith and reasonable basis for the filing in opposition to any motion for attorneys' fees and costs. The petitioners indicated their intent to protect their rights to file a civil action in the future, electing to reject the Vaccine Program judgment. To receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a "Table Injury" or that the injury was actually caused by a covered vaccine. Proving causation in fact requires demonstrating, by a preponderance of the evidence, a medical theory connecting the vaccination and injury, a logical sequence of cause and effect, and a proximate temporal relationship. The Special Master noted that J.B.'s medical records alone did not support the allegations by a preponderance of the evidence, and the petitioners no longer had a reliable expert opinion supporting their claim since they withdrew reliance on Dr. Ruscetti's reports. The Special Master also found that Dr. Ruscetti's opinion did not provide persuasive evidence of entitlement and that the respondent's competing medical opinion refuted the petitioners' allegations. Accordingly, Special Master Daniel T. Horner granted the petitioners' motion and dismissed the petition due to insufficient proof. The clerk of the court was directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioners alleged that J.B. developed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus as a result of receiving the DTaP vaccine on February 14, 2013. Initially, petitioners relied on expert testimony from Dr. Francis W. Ruscetti, while respondent presented expert testimony from Dr. Penelope A. Morel. However, petitioners later withdrew reliance on Dr. Ruscetti's opinion, stating they could not prove entitlement to compensation. Petitioners moved for dismissal due to insufficient proof. Special Master Daniel T. Horner granted the dismissal, finding that petitioners' medical records alone did not support their allegations by a preponderance of the evidence, and they lacked a reliable expert opinion. The Special Master also noted that respondent's expert reports refuted petitioners' allegations. The public decision does not describe the specific medical theory, logical sequence of cause and effect, proximate temporal relationship, or expert mechanisms relied upon by either party, nor does it detail the specific award or annuity terms, as the case was dismissed for insufficient proof before an award was determined.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00195-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-08-31
Pages: 3
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/4/2020) regarding 69 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (tkp) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:16-vv-00195-UNJ Document 71 Filed 08/31/20 Page 1 of 3
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-195V
Filed: August 4, 2020
UNPUBLISHED
JAY P. BHATTACHARYYA and Special Master Horner
FARRAH E. BHATTACHARYYA,
parents of J.B., a Minor,
Petitioner’s Motion for Decision
Petitioners, Dismissing Petition; Diphtheria
v. Tetanus and acellular Pertussis
(DTaP) Vaccine; Type 1
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Diabetes
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Renee J. Gentry, Vaccine Injury Clinic, George Washington Uni. Law School,
Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Heather Lynn Pearlman, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION1
On February 8, 2016, petitioners filed a claim under the National Childhood
Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10-34 (2012), alleging that their child, J.B.,
suffered Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus as a result of receiving the third dose of the diphtheria
tetanus and acellular pertussis (“DTaP”) vaccine on February 14, 2013. (ECF No. 1.)
On March 30, 2017, respondent filed his Rule 4 report, recommending against
compensation. (ECF No. 31.)
Petitioners filed an expert report from Dr. Francis W. Ruscetti to support their
claim, and in response, respondent filed an expert report from Dr. Penelope A. Morel.
(ECF Nos. 35, 44, 46.) Additionally, supplemental reports were filed by both parties.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, it will
be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. See 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
Internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact
medical or other information the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, it will be
redacted from public access.

Case 1:16-vv-00195-UNJ Document 71 Filed 08/31/20 Page 2 of 3
(ECF No. 51, 53, 56, 61.) This case was reassigned to my docket on June 5, 2019.
(ECF No. 58.)
However, on July 27, 2020, petitioners advised via e-mail, that they determined
that they will no longer rely on Dr. Ruscetti’s expert opinion. Subsequently, on August
3, 2020, petitioners filed a Motion for a Decision Dismissing the Petition. (ECF No. 68.)
Petitioners indicated that “[a]n investigation of the facts and science supporting has
demonstrated to the Petitioner that they will be unable to prove that [they are] entitled to
compensation in the Vaccine Program,” and that “to proceed any further would be
unreasonable and would waste the resources of the Court, the respondent, and Vaccine
Program.” (Id. at 1.) Petitioners further stated that “[p]etitioners understand that a
decision by the Special Master dismissing their petition will result in a judgment . . .
[and] have been advised that such a judgment will end all of their rights in the Vaccine
Program.” (Id.) Respondent does not oppose the motion but does reserve the right to
question the good faith and reasonable basis for the filing of this petition in opposition to
any motion for attorneys’ fees and costs. (Id. at 1-2.) “The petitioners do intend to
protect their rights to file a civil action in the future,” and “they intend to elect to reject
the Vaccine Program judgment against his and elect to file a civil action.” (Id. at 2.)
To receive compensation in the Vaccine Program, petitioner must prove either
(1) that he suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table
– corresponding to a covered vaccine, or (2) that he suffered an injury that was actually
caused by a covered vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). To satisfy the burden
of proving causation in fact, a petitioner must show by preponderant evidence: “(1) a
medical theory causally connecting the vaccination and the injury; (2) a logical
sequence of cause and effect showing that the vaccination was the reason for the
injury; and (3) a showing of a proximate temporal relationship between vaccination and
injury.” Althen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 418 F.3d 1274, 1278 (Fed. Cir.
2005). The Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1), prohibits the undersigned from
ruling for petitioner based solely on his allegations unsubstantiated by medical records
or medical opinion.
J.B.’s medical records alone do not support petitioners’ allegations by a
preponderance of the evidence and petitioners do not have a reliable expert opinion
supporting their claim since they have indicated that they no longer rely on Dr.
Ruscetti’s expert reports. Nor did the medical opinion from Dr. Ruscetti provide
persuasive evidence supporting a finding of entitlement. Moreover, in this case,
respondent filed a competing medical opinion in the form of persuasive expert reports
refuting petitioners’ allegations. See de Bazan v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 539
F.3d 1347 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (Respondent’s evidence that bears on petitioner’s burden to
prove a prima facie case should be considered even when the burden has not shifted to
respondent).
2

Case 1:16-vv-00195-UNJ Document 71 Filed 08/31/20 Page 3 of 3
Accordingly, the undersigned GRANTS petitioners’ Motion for Decision
Dismissing Petition and DISMISSES this petition for insufficient proof.
CONCLUSION
This case is now DISMISSED. The clerk of the court is directed to enter
judgment in accordance with this decision.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
3