VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01346
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01346
Petitioner: Conor Brennan
Filed: 2017-09-27
Decided: 2018-11-26
Vaccine: HPV
Vaccination date: 2014-09-29
Condition: immune mediated encephalopathy and/or autoimmune encephalitis
Outcome: dismissed
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Conor Brennan, a minor at the time of vaccination, filed a petition on September 27, 2017, alleging that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines he received on September 29, 2014, and March 4, 2015, caused him to suffer immune-mediated encephalopathy and/or autoimmune encephalitis, leading to various symptoms. His mother, Christina Biesold, initially filed the petition on his behalf. The Secretary of Health and Human Services opposed entitlement, arguing that the petitioner had not clearly identified his injury and that treating doctors believed many of his symptoms originated from psychiatric issues. The Special Master proposed that the parties submit expert reports limited to the diagnosis, and issued expert instructions. However, Conor Brennan, who had since turned eighteen and become the petitioner, did not file an initial expert report. Instead, he filed a motion to dismiss the petition on September 6, 2018, stating he did not believe he could prove entitlement. The Special Master noted that to receive compensation, petitioners must prove either a "Table Injury" or that the vaccine actually caused or significantly aggravated the injury. The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms, onset, or medical records submitted. The Special Master found that the medical records did not sufficiently support the claim and that no medical opinion had been offered to establish causation. Consequently, the Special Master granted the motion to dismiss for insufficient proof. The decision was signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran on November 26, 2018.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Conor Brennan alleged that the HPV vaccines received on September 29, 2014, and March 4, 2015, caused immune-mediated encephalopathy and/or autoimmune encephalitis. The respondent argued that the petitioner had not clearly identified the injury and that treating doctors believed symptoms originated from psychiatric issues. The Special Master proposed expert reports limited to the diagnosis, but the petitioner failed to submit an initial expert report. The petitioner subsequently moved to dismiss, stating he could not prove entitlement. The Special Master found that the medical records did not sufficiently support the claim and no medical opinion was offered to establish causation, thus denying compensation. The public decision does not describe a specific theory of causation, named experts, or a mechanism of injury. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof by Special Master Christian J. Moran on November 26, 2018. Attorneys listed were Jessica A. Wallace for the petitioner and Voris E. Johnson for the respondent.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01346-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-11-26
Pages: 3
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/26/2018) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (abs) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01346-UNJ Document 40 Filed 11/26/18 Page 1 of 3
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CONOR P. BRENNAN, *
* No. 17-1346V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. *
* Filed: October 26, 2018
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Entitlement, dismissal
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica A. Wallace, Siri & Glimstad LLP, New York, NY, for petitioner;
Voris E. Johnson, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION DENYING COMPENSATION1
Conor Brennan2 filed a petition, under the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa—10 through 34, on September 27, 2017. The
petition alleged that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines he received on
September 29, 2014, and March 4, 2015, caused him to suffer an immune mediated
encephalopathy and/or autoimmune encephalitis, which led to the development of
various symptoms. See Petition, filed Sept. 27, 2017, at 1-2. The information in
the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program.
1 The E-Government Act, 44 § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website.
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of
medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any
redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
2 Conor Brennan’s mother, Chrisitina Biesold, filed the petition on his behalf because he
had not yet reached the age of majority. Mr. Brennan subsequently became the petitioner once
he turned eighteen. Order, issued Aug. 2, 2018. This decision will refer to Mr. Brennan as the
petitioner for simplicity.

Case 1:17-vv-01346-UNJ Document 40 Filed 11/26/18 Page 2 of 3
I. Procedural History
Mr. Brennan filed his petition on September 27, 2017. Following multiple
extensions of time, Mr. Brennan finished submitting his medical records and filed
a statement of completion on January 30, 2018.
On May 7, 2018, the Secretary filed his Rule 4 report opposing a finding of
entitlement. The Secretary argued that Mr. Brennan had not clearly identified the
injury he was alleging and that his treating doctors believed many of the symptoms
he complained of originated from psychiatric issues. Resp’t’s Rep. at 16. The
Secretary also noted that Mr. Brennan had not yet proposed a medical theory for
how the HPV vaccinations caused his injuries.
At the Rule 5 status conference on May 21, 2018, the undersigned proposed
that the parties submit expert reports limited in scope to Mr. Brennan’s diagnosis.
The undersigned then issued expert instructions to guide the experts on addressing
this issue.
Mr. Brennan never filed this initial expert report and instead filed a Motion
for a Decision Dismissing the Petition on September 6, 2018.
This matter is now ready for adjudication.
II. Analysis
To receive compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, petitioners must prove either 1) that petitioner suffered a “Table Injury” –
i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding to one of
petitioner’s vaccinations, or 2) that petitioner suffered an injury that was actually
caused or significantly aggravated by a vaccine. See §§ 300aa—13(a)(1)(A) and
300aa—11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that
petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain other
persuasive evidence indicating that petitioner’s injuries are vaccine-caused or
significantly aggravated by a vaccine.
Under the Act, a petitioner may not be given a Program award based solely
on petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either
medical records or by the opinion of a competent physician. § 300aa—13(a)(1).
2

Case 1:17-vv-01346-UNJ Document 40 Filed 11/26/18 Page 3 of 3
In this case, because the medical records do not sufficiently support petitioner’s
claim, a medical opinion must be offered in support. A medical opinion has not
been offered.
In his motion, Mr. Brennan stated that he “does not believe that he will be
able to prove he is entitled to compensation as required under the Rules of the
[Vaccine Injury Compensation Program].” Because Mr. Brennan has not even
established his diagnosis, he cannot establish the other burdens necessary to be
entitled to compensation.
Accordingly, the undersigned finds that Mr. Brennan has not demonstrated
that the HPV vaccinations “actually caused” or “significantly aggravated” his
injuries.
Thus, the Motion for Decision is GRANTED and this case is
DISMISSED for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment
accordingly.
Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Andrew Schick, at (202)
357-6360.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
3