{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737-0","petitioner_identifier":"Kole Knura","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (minor - age not in source, verified)","vaccine_type":"MMR","vaccination_date":"2014-06-10","condition_raw":"acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”); epileptic encephalopathy; metabolic or genetic-mediated epilepsy","condition_category":"encephalitis_encephalopathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2018-10-15","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:52:01.836474+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":4,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged that Hepatitis A, MMR, Prevnar, and Varicella vaccines administered on June 10, 2014, caused acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), epileptic encephalopathy, and metabolic or genetic-mediated epilepsy in Kole Knura. The case was dismissed for failure to prosecute, failure to obey court orders, and failure to make a prima facie case. Petitioner was unable to obtain an expert medical opinion from neurologist Dr. Christopher T. Jackman, who reviewed the records and could not support the claim of vaccine causation. The public decision does not describe a specific medical theory, expert testimony, or scientific studies presented by the petitioner to connect the vaccines to the alleged injuries. The Special Master noted that petitioner failed to file any expert reports and that the neurologist consulted could not support the allegations. The case was dismissed by Special Master Laura D. Millman on October 15, 2018. Petitioner's counsel was Daniel H. Pfeifer, and respondent's counsel was Voris E. Johnson. The theory of causation was deemed 'Off-Table' in the provided database fields, and the dismissal was based on the petitioner's failure to meet the burden of proof for causation, including the lack of a persuasive medical theory supported by evidence.","is_death":1,"date_of_death":"2018-05-24","petition_filed_date":"2017-10-15","case_summary":"On October 15, 2018, Special Master Laura D. Millman issued a decision dismissing the petition filed by Rachel Knura, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Kole Knura, a minor. The petition, filed on June 2, 2017, alleged that the Hepatitis A, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), Prevnar, and Varicella vaccines administered to Kole Knura on June 10, 2014, caused his acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), epileptic encephalopathy, and metabolic or genetic-mediated epilepsy. Petitioner's counsel was Daniel H. Pfeifer, and respondent's counsel was Voris E. Johnson. The public decision was not to be published. \n\nDuring the proceedings, petitioner's counsel indicated that exome testing for the child was normal, but parental testing was ongoing. The Special Master ordered status reports and the filing of expert opinions. Petitioner assured the Special Master that an expert opinion would be obtained from neurologist Dr. Christopher T. Jackman, and if an expert opinion could not be obtained, the petitioner would move to withdraw. Petitioner was also obtaining prenatal, labor, and delivery records. \n\nOn December 19, 2017, petitioner filed a status report stating that the exome testing results for the son were normal, but parental testing was incomplete. An extension was granted to obtain records and have them reviewed by Dr. Jackman. On December 20, 2017, the Special Master granted an extension, ordering petitioner to file a status report, a report from Dr. Jackman with his CV and cited medical literature, or a motion to dismiss by May 30, 2018. Petitioner filed additional medical records on January 31, 2018, including information about Whole Exome Sequencing from GeneDX. The Special Master ordered these results to be filed by February 23, 2018, which petitioner did. \n\nOn May 30, 2018, petitioner's counsel notified the Special Master that the vaccinee, Kole Knura, had passed away on May 24, 2018. Counsel also stated that after reviewing all medical records, Dr. Jackman could not provide an expert opinion to support the claim of vaccine causation. Petitioner's counsel requested time to look for substitute counsel, or if none was found, counsel would file a motion to dismiss. \n\nOn May 30, 2018, the Special Master ordered petitioner to file the vaccinee's death certificate, autopsy report (if any), most recent medical records, and a motion to substitute counsel or a motion to dismiss by July 30, 2018. On July 30, 2018, petitioner's counsel filed a motion to withdraw, explaining that petitioner had not responded to communications regarding seeking new representation or dismissing the case. \n\nThe Special Master dismissed the petition for failure to prosecute and failure to obey the Order of May 30, 2018, under Vaccine Rule 21(b)(1), and for failure to prove a prima facie case. The Special Master noted that to prove causation, petitioner must establish a medical theory connecting the vaccination and injury, a logical sequence of cause and effect, and a proximate temporal relationship, supported by scientific studies or expert medical testimony, as per Althen v. Sec'y of HHS. The Special Master emphasized that mere temporal association is insufficient and that evidence showing an absence of other causes does not meet the petitioner's burden. The public decision states that petitioner failed to file any expert medical reports supporting her allegations, and the neurologist hired by petitioner, Dr. Jackman, concluded he could not support the claim of vaccine causation. Therefore, the petition was dismissed. Judgment was to be entered unless a motion for review was filed.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Laura D. Millman","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Daniel H. Pfeifer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak","petitioner_attorney_location":"South Bend, IN","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|daniel-pfeifer|","firm_canonical_key":"pfeifer-morgan-and-stesiak","package_title":"KNURA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737-0","title":"KNURA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/15/2018) regarding 28 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Laura D. Millman. (et) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-11-09","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":194474,"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_17-vv-00737/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00737-1","title":"KNURA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/31/2018) regarding 30 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Laura D. Millman. (et) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-11-26","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}