Mariah Corbett v. HHS - DTaP, vaccine-induced sudden death (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Mariah Corbett filed a petition on March 30, 2017, on behalf of her deceased son, N.C., seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus (IPV), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), haemophilus influenzae b (Hib), and rotavirus vaccines caused N.C.'s death from "vaccine-induced sudden death." The case was initially represented by counsel, Mark Sadaka, who was permitted to withdraw on November 10, 2020.
Following this, Ms. Corbett proceeded pro se.
The Special Master issued multiple orders directing Ms. Corbett to provide updates on retaining new counsel and to explain why her case should not be dismissed.
These orders were issued on March 4, 2021, September 3, 2021, and October 12, 2021 (an Order to Show Cause). Ms.
Corbett failed to comply with any of these orders and did not respond to the Court. Consequently, on December 20, 2021, Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth dismissed the case for failure to prosecute and failure to follow court orders.
The public decision does not detail the specific date of vaccination or the clinical facts surrounding N.C.'s death. No compensation was awarded.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Mariah Corbett, on behalf of deceased minor N.C., alleged that the DTaP, Hepatitis B, IPV, PCV, Hib, and Rotavirus vaccines caused a "vaccine-induced sudden death." The petition was filed on March 30, 2017. The case was dismissed on December 20, 2021, by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth for failure to prosecute and failure to follow court orders, as the pro se petitioner failed to respond to multiple court directives after her counsel withdrew over a year prior. The specific medical theory of causation, expert testimony, or clinical details were not presented or addressed in the public decision due to the procedural dismissal.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00460