{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344-0","petitioner_identifier":"A.D.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (minor - age not in source, verified)","vaccine_type":"MMRV","vaccination_date":"2014-03-07","condition_raw":"varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation disease or disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2020-12-02","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:56:08.795130+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Ivie Dotson, on behalf of minor A.D., alleged injuries of varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation disease or disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease following a March 7, 2014 MMRV vaccination. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof. To prove a Table injury for varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation disease, laboratory confirmation of the vaccine-strain virus is required, which was absent. For disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease, onset must be between 7 and 42 days post-vaccination if strain determination was not done; however, onset was reported within 24 hours, and no laboratory testing was performed. Petitioner's counsel acknowledged an inability to prove entitlement and filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss. The Special Master found no evidence of a Table injury or actual causation supported by medical records or expert opinion. The public decision does not name specific medical experts or detail the mechanism of injury beyond the Table requirements. The case was dismissed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on December 2, 2020. Petitioner's counsel was David Charles Richards, and Respondent's counsel was Althea Walker Davis.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-03-05","case_summary":"Ivie Dotson, parent and guardian of A.D., a minor, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 5, 2019. The petition alleged injuries stemming from a March 7, 2014 measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccination. The alleged injuries were varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation disease or disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease. During a telephonic status conference on July 14, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran informed Petitioner's counsel that the record lacked sufficient evidence to establish either alleged theory. Specifically, for varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation disease, the public decision noted that laboratory confirmation of the vaccine-strain virus is required under 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a) and (b)(12), but Petitioner's counsel confirmed no laboratory testing occurred. For disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease, the public decision stated that the illness must involve the skin beyond the dermatome or disease in another organ, with onset between 7 and 42 days post-vaccination if strain determination was not done, according to 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a) and (b)(11). However, the record indicated onset within 24 hours, and no testing was conducted. The Special Master issued an Order to Show Cause, giving Petitioner 30 days to file additional evidence. On August 13, 2020, Petitioner stated there was no additional evidence. A second Order to Show Cause was issued on September 1, 2020, warning that non-compliance would be interpreted as a failure to prosecute or an inability to provide support, leading to dismissal. On September 30, 2020, Petitioner filed a Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss, acknowledging an inability to prove entitlement to compensation and understanding that a dismissal would result in a judgment ending all rights in the Program. Respondent did not oppose the motion. The Special Master found that the record did not disclose a Table injury and did not contain a medical expert's opinion or other persuasive evidence indicating the alleged injury was vaccine-caused. The public decision stated that compensation requires proof of a Table injury or actual causation, supported by medical records or a medical opinion. As the record lacked sufficient evidence to demonstrate the vaccinee was injured by a vaccine, the case was denied and dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk was ordered to enter judgment accordingly. Petitioner was represented by David Charles Richards of Christensen & Jensen, P.C., and Respondent was represented by Althea Walker Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"David Charles Richards","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Christensen & Jensen, P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Salt Lake City, UT","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|david-richards|","firm_canonical_key":"christensen-and-jensen","package_title":"DOTSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344-0","title":"DOTSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/27/2020) regarding 29 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-12-02","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":236749,"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_19-vv-00344/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00344-1","title":"DOTSON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/25/2022) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-11-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}