{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987-0","petitioner_identifier":"M.L.","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"DTaP","vaccination_date":"2014-07-24","condition_raw":"urticaria","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2018-05-31","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:01:56.918387+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":4,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Tzipora Lefkowitz, on behalf of minor M.L., alleged urticaria following DTaP, polio, and hepatitis A vaccinations on July 24, 2014. The claim was for an off-Table injury, requiring proof of actual causation. Respondent argued that medical records did not support an immediate reaction or a diagnosis of chronic urticaria. Petitioner intended to retain an expert but never did. Petitioner subsequently moved to dismiss her own petition. Special Master Christian J. Moran found that the medical records did not support the claim, and no competent medical opinion was offered to establish causation. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof. Petitioner's counsel was Joseph L. Krueger of Siri & Glimstad LLP, and respondent's counsel was Ashley M. Simpson. The decision date was May 31, 2018.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2017-07-21","case_summary":"Tzipora Lefkowitz filed a petition on July 21, 2017, on behalf of her minor child, M.L., alleging that M.L. suffered urticaria as a result of receiving Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), polio, and hepatitis A vaccinations on July 24, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, contended that the petitioner had not met her burden to establish entitlement to compensation. The respondent argued that the available medical records did not support the petitioner's assertion of an immediate reaction to the vaccination, nor did they indicate a diagnosis of chronic urticaria by a treating doctor. Following the respondent's report, the petitioner initially intended to retain an expert to address the issues raised. The petitioner received two extensions of time to file a status report regarding the expert but never filed one. Instead, Ms. Lefkowitz moved for a decision dismissing her petition. Special Master Christian J. Moran noted that urticaria is not a condition listed in the Vaccine Injury Table, meaning the claim was necessarily a causation-in-fact claim. To receive compensation for an off-Table injury, the petition must be supported by either medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. The Special Master found that the medical records in this case did not support the petitioner's claim, and no medical opinion was offered. Therefore, the Special Master concluded that the petitioner had failed to demonstrate either a Table Injury or that M.L.'s injuries were actually caused by a vaccination. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof. The public decision does not describe the specific onset or symptoms of the urticaria, any diagnostic tests performed, or any treatments received. The names of petitioner's counsel were Joseph L. Krueger and Siri & Glimstad LLP, and respondent's counsel was Ashley M. Simpson. No award amount was granted as the case was dismissed.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Joseph L. Krueger","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Siri & Glimstad LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"New York, NY","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|joseph-krueger|","firm_canonical_key":"siri-and-glimstad","package_title":"LEFKOWITZ et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987-0","title":"LEFKOWITZ et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/31/2018) regarding 31 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (abs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-06-26","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":189362,"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-00987/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00987-1","title":"LEFKOWITZ et al v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/24/2019) regarding 41 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (abs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-07-23","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}