{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873-0","petitioner_identifier":"Timothy Goddard","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-08-31","condition_raw":"Bell's Palsy","condition_category":"bells_palsy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2019-05-28","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:02:57.038015+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Timothy Goddard alleged that an influenza vaccine received on August 31, 2016, caused Bell's Palsy. The Special Master's decision, issued by Thomas L. Gowen on May 28, 2019, noted that the record did not establish entitlement to compensation. Petitioner filed a motion to dismiss for insufficient proof, acknowledging an inability to prove entitlement to a \"Table Injury\" or an \"off-Table\" injury caused-in-fact by the vaccine. No expert report was submitted to support the claim. The Special Master granted the motion and dismissed the case for insufficient proof. Petitioner, represented by Shealene P. Mancuso of Muller Brazil, LLP, intended to reject the judgment to file a civil action. Respondent was represented by Adriana R. Teitel of the United States Department of Justice. No award was made.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-12-06","case_summary":"On December 6, 2018, Timothy Goddard filed a petition in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on August 31, 2016, caused him to develop Bell's Palsy with residual injuries and/or complications lasting more than six months. The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel or respondent's counsel. The record did not establish entitlement to an award. On April 25, 2019, Mr. Goddard filed a motion to dismiss his claim, stating that an investigation of the facts and science demonstrated he would be unable to prove entitlement to compensation. He understood that a dismissal would result in a judgment against him, ending his rights in the Vaccine Program, and he intended to elect to reject the judgment to file a civil action in the future. The respondent did not oppose the motion. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen noted that to receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a \"Table Injury\" or an injury caused-in-fact by a covered vaccine. The record did not support a finding of a \"Table injury.\" Furthermore, the record lacked persuasive evidence that the flu vaccine caused the injury. The Special Master stated that compensation cannot be awarded solely based on a petitioner's claims; medical records or a physician's opinion are required. The medical records did not establish causation for a \"Table Injury\" or an \"off-Table\" injury caused-in-fact by the vaccine. Additionally, no expert report was submitted to support the claim for an \"off-Table\" injury. As Mr. Goddard had not met his burden of proof, his claim could not succeed and had to be dismissed. Special Master Gowen granted the motion, dismissing the case for insufficient proof. The Clerk of the Court was directed to enter judgment accordingly. The public decision does not specify any award amount or annuity terms.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Thomas L. Gowen","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Shealene P. Mancuso","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|shealene-mancuso|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"GODDARD v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873-0","title":"GODDARD v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 4/25/19) regarding 13 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (kb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-05-28","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":261703,"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_18-vv-01873/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01873-1","title":"GODDARD v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/8/19) regarding 18 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (kb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-09-03","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}