{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739-2","petitioner_identifier":"P.M.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":1.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"MMR","vaccination_date":"2016-06-06","condition_raw":"systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2022-06-09","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:06:40.859831+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":3,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":14,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Michael Moses alleged that the MMR, pneumococcal conjugate, and varicella vaccines administered on June 6, 2016, to minor P.M. caused systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Petitioner's expert, Dr. Arthur E. Brawer, proposed three off-Table theories: molecular mimicry, channelopathies, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Respondent's experts, Dr. Craig D. Platt and Dr. Carlos D. Rose, countered that sJIA is autoinflammatory, not autoimmune, and lacks a connection to autoantibodies or the proposed mechanisms. The Special Master found the respondent's experts persuasive. Regarding temporal proximity, petitioner proposed a 1-28 day window based on rheumatoid arthritis literature, but respondent's experts argued that sJIA, an autoinflammatory disease, would manifest within 24-48 hours, making the observed two-week interval too long. The Special Master agreed, finding no proximate temporal relationship. The Special Master also found no logical sequence of cause and effect, noting that while treating physician Dr. Michael Chusid suspected the MMR vaccine, other treating physicians, Dr. Katherine Kormanik and Dr. James Nocton, did not believe the vaccines were the cause and recommended future MMR vaccination. The petition was denied. Petitioner counsel: Phyllis Widman. Respondent counsel: Catherine Stolar. Special Master: Christian J. Moran. Decision Date: June 9, 2022.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-05-17","case_summary":"Michael Moses, on behalf of his son P.M., filed a petition for compensation on May 17, 2019, alleging that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), pneumococcal conjugate, and varicella vaccines administered on June 6, 2016, caused P.M. to develop systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). P.M. was approximately one year old at the time of vaccination. Following vaccination, P.M. experienced fevers, rash, and fussiness, leading to multiple medical evaluations. Initially suspected as hand, foot, and mouth disease or a viral rash, P.M.'s condition evolved, and he was diagnosed with incomplete Kawasaki disease, then later with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and systemic onset JIA. The petitioner's expert, Dr. Arthur E. Brawer, proposed three theories of causation: molecular mimicry, channelopathies, and mitochondrial dysfunction, arguing that the vaccines triggered P.M.'s sJIA. However, the respondent's experts, Dr. Craig D. Platt and Dr. Carlos D. Rose, refuted these theories, explaining that sJIA is an autoinflammatory disease, not autoimmune, and lacks a connection to autoantibodies or the proposed mechanisms. The court found these counterarguments persuasive. Regarding the temporal relationship, the petitioner argued for a 1-28 day onset window, citing rheumatoid arthritis literature. However, the respondent's experts contended that for an autoinflammatory disease like sJIA, onset should be much faster, within 24-48 hours, making the observed two-week interval too long. The court agreed that the petitioner failed to establish a proximate temporal relationship. Furthermore, the court found the petitioner did not demonstrate a logical sequence of cause and effect. While one treating physician, Dr. Michael Chusid, suspected the MMR vaccine as a trigger, P.M.'s pediatrician, Dr. Katherine Kormanik, and rheumatologist, Dr. James Nocton, believed the vaccines were not the cause and even recommended P.M. receive the MMR vaccine later. The court found these latter opinions outweighed Dr. Chusid's suspicion. Ultimately, the court concluded that the petitioner failed to meet his burden of proof on all three Althen prongs, and therefore, his claim was denied. Special Master Christian J. Moran issued the decision on June 9, 2022. Petitioner counsel was Phyllis Widman. Respondent counsel was Catherine Stolar.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Phyllis Widman","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Widman Law Firm, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Northfield, NJ","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|phyllis-widman|","firm_canonical_key":"widman-law-firm","package_title":"MOSES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00739-0","title":"MOSES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/23/2020) regarding 41 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorney's Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. 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