{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-1","petitioner_identifier":"S.M.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":0.77,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"Hepatitis B","vaccination_date":"2014-07-14","condition_raw":"transverse myelitis","condition_category":"transverse_myelitis","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":2093116.37,"decision_date":"2022-09-22","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:01:46.929955+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":3,"time_to_onset_days":3,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioners Martin and Amy McGrail alleged that S.M., a minor, received a Hepatitis B vaccine on July 14, 2014, and subsequently developed transverse myelitis (TM). Petitioners' experts, Drs. Egan, Steinman, and Silverman, proposed molecular mimicry as the causal mechanism, suggesting cross-reactivity between Hepatitis B vaccine components and myelin basic protein (MBP) due to antigenic similarities, leading to spinal cord demyelination. They cited case reports and prior program decisions supporting a link between the Hepatitis B vaccine and TM. Petitioners argued S.M.'s symptoms began approximately 77 hours post-vaccination, a medically acceptable timeframe, especially given prior vaccinations. Respondent's experts, Drs. Fisher and Kedl, argued S.M. more likely suffered from post-infectious acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) attributed to a preceding viral infection, not the vaccine. Dr. Kedl specifically challenged the molecular mimicry theory, stating the identified amino acid sequence homology was insufficient and that antibody-mediated damage would take longer than three days. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Petitioners established TM as S.M.'s injury and met the Althen prongs for causation. He found the \"can cause\" prong was barely met, acknowledging conflicting epidemiological studies but relying on treater support and prior program decisions. He found the \"did cause\" prong supported by treater testimony and the elimination of other causes, and the \"proximate temporal relationship\" prong was met by the 77-hour onset. The case resulted in a compensated outcome with a total award of $2,093,116.37.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2017-07-10","case_summary":"On July 10, 2017, Martin and Amy McGrail, as parents and natural guardians of their minor daughter S.M., filed this action seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. They alleged that a Hepatitis B vaccine administered to S.M. on July 14, 2014, caused her to develop transverse myelitis (TM). S.M. was born on October 1, 2013. Three days after vaccination, on July 17, 2014, S.M. developed fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing, leading to hospitalization. Initial diagnoses considered included TM, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, botulism, Guillain-Barré syndrome, tick paralysis, and myasthenia gravis. MRI and CSF studies were consistent with TM, and she was treated with Solumedrol and later Plasmapheresis. Despite treatment and rehabilitation, S.M. was left profoundly quadriplegic with spasticity. The parties stipulated that S.M. suffered from TM, and the case proceeded to a damages award. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on April 23, 2021, finding that Petitioners were entitled to a damages award. The parties subsequently agreed on a settlement amount. On September 22, 2022, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on the proffered award, granting a total compensation of $2,093,116.37. This included a lump sum of $601,438.32 for trust seed funds, a lump sum of $1,307,233.09 for pain and suffering and future lost earnings, and a lump sum of $123,444.66 for past unreimbursable expenses, along with an amount for an annuity contract. Petitioner's counsel was Jeffrey S. Pop. Respondent's counsel was Christine Becer.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Jeffrey S. Pop","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Jeffrey S. Pop & Assoc.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Beverly Hills, CA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|jeffrey-pop|","firm_canonical_key":"jeffrey-s-pop-and-assoc","package_title":"MCGRAIL et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-0","title":"MCGRAIL et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/23/2021) regarding 71 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (omg) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-05-03","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":503735,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-1","title":"MCGRAIL et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/15/2022) regarding 89 DECISION: Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (mva) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-09-22","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":249674,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00926-2","title":"MCGRAIL et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/23/2023) regarding 96 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (saj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-03-20","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}