{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430-0","petitioner_identifier":"Judith Wiersema","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":74.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2013-11-04","condition_raw":"peripheral neuropathy","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2017-05-30","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:46:12.435611+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Judith Wiersema, age 77, received an influenza vaccine on November 4, 2013, and alleged she developed peripheral neuropathy. The public decision does not describe the specific medical theory connecting the vaccine to the alleged injury, nor does it name any medical or scientific studies supporting such a connection. Petitioner's counsel stated she could not obtain an expert to support the allegations. Medical records indicated a history of peripheral neuropathy and other neurological issues predating the vaccination, potentially related to HIV, HIV medications, diabetes, and spinal stenosis. Doctors noted no evidence of demyelinating neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or myositis. The Special Master, Laura D. Millman, dismissed the case for failure to establish a prima facie case of causation in fact, finding the medical records did not support a reaction to the flu vaccine and indicated longstanding neurological issues with other potential causes. The case was dismissed on May 30, 2017. Petitioner's counsel was Nancy R. Meyers, and respondent's counsel was Glenn A. MacLeod. The theory of causation was deemed \"Off-Table\" in the provided data.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2016-10-28","case_summary":"Judith Wiersema, born November 7, 1939, filed a petition on October 28, 2016, alleging that she developed peripheral neuropathy within a month of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 4, 2013. The respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Petitioner's counsel was Nancy R. Meyers, and respondent's counsel was Glenn A. MacLeod. Special Master Laura D. Millman presided over the case. Petitioner's medical records indicated a complex history predating the vaccination, including non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, HIV since 1989, colorectal cancer surgery in 1996, polyarthritis, neurogenic bowel and bladder, spinal stenosis, anemia, depression, GERD, carpal tunnel syndrome, hiatal hernia, osteoporosis, hip replacements, knee arthroscopy, Morton's neuroma, bilateral cataract surgery, syncope, hyperlipidemia, and a thoracic aneurysm. She also had her right ankle repaired in November 2012. Around Thanksgiving 2013, she was prescribed the antibiotic Avelox for a bladder infection and sore throat, which caused facial swelling, a moon face, buffalo hump, facial and neck swelling, and hoarseness, attributed by doctors to an allergic reaction to Avelox and steroid effects. She experienced bilateral leg pain and numbness starting around December 7, 2013, and later developed weakness and atrophy in her legs, difficulty rising from a seated position, and a gait abnormality requiring a walker. Neurological examinations and tests, including EMG and nerve conduction studies performed on January 6, 2014, and January 11, 2014, revealed bilateral median neuropathy, peroneal neuropathy (worse on the right), tibial neuropathy (right greater than left), and sural neuropathy. These findings were noted as abnormal and consistent with length-dependent axonal polyneuropathy. However, doctors also noted a history of bilateral peroneal and sural neuropathy, and Dr. Kelly stated there was no evidence for Guillain-Barré syndrome or myositis. Several physicians opined that her neurological issues could be related to her HIV, HIV medications, or diabetes. A muscle biopsy was negative for inflammatory infiltrates, showing type 2 fiber atrophy suggestive of a neuropathic cause, drug effect, or disuse. Dr. Monaco noted weakness of proximal upper and lower extremities, atrophy of lower extremities, diminished vibratory sensation, diminished pinprick, and reduced reflexes. Dr. Kelly suggested a possible preexisting neuropathy secondary to HIV medication or chemotherapy, with a superimposed, unclear myopathy. Dr. Manjunath noted abnormal ACTH stimulation test results and adrenal insufficiency, potentially HIV-related. Dr. Bolanos assessed neuropathy with unclear etiology, possibly due to HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, diabetes mellitus, and spinal stenosis. A VAERS report filed by her personal care physician on March 3, 2015, stated face edema and right leg atrophy and weakness starting November 22, 2013, after the flu vaccine, but this was 16 months after vaccination. The Special Master dismissed the case, finding that the petitioner failed to establish a prima facie case of causation in fact. The medical records did not support a reaction to the flu vaccine, instead indicating a reaction to Avelox and longstanding neurological issues with other potential causes. The petitioner's counsel was unable to secure an expert to support the claim that the flu vaccine caused her alleged peripheral neuropathy. The decision was issued on May 30, 2017.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Laura D. Millman","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Nancy R. Meyers","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Turning Point Litigation","petitioner_attorney_location":"Greensboro, NC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|nancy-meyers|","firm_canonical_key":"turning-point-litigation","package_title":"WIERSEMA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430-0","title":"WIERSEMA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/05/2017) regarding 21 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-05-30","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":214451,"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_16-vv-01430/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01430-1","title":"WIERSEMA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/02/2017) regarding 30 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-08-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}