{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723-0","petitioner_identifier":"Adriana Merino","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":null,"condition_raw":"a multitude of symptoms","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2021-08-12","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:16:59.648226+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Adriana Merino alleged that she suffered a multitude of symptoms as a result of receiving three doses of the HPV vaccine on November 7, 2016, August 8, 2017, and February 15, 2018. The case was dismissed for insufficient proof. The respondent argued that the petitioner had not met her burden of proof under Althen and that the medical records did not establish a likely causal link between the vaccinations and her symptoms. The Special Master found insufficient evidence in the record for the petitioner to meet her burden of proof. The theory of causation was \"Off-Table.\" No specific medical experts or detailed clinical information regarding the alleged symptoms, onset, or mechanism of injury were described in the public decision. The petitioner voluntarily moved for dismissal to pursue a third-party action against the manufacturer.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-11-06","case_summary":"On November 6, 2019, Joanna Farjaszewska filed a petition for compensation on behalf of her minor daughter, Adriana Merino, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Adriana Merino, who later substituted in as the petitioner after turning eighteen, alleged suffering a multitude of symptoms as a result of receiving three doses of the HPV vaccine on November 7, 2016, August 8, 2017, and February 15, 2018. Petitioner filed several medical records in support of her claim. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on January 4, 2021, stating that the case was not appropriate for compensation. The respondent argued that the petitioner had not met her burden of proof under Althen and that the medical records did not establish a likely causal link between the vaccinations and her symptoms. On August 11, 2021, the petitioner filed a motion to dismiss, stating a desire to pursue a third-party action directly against the vaccine manufacturer, Merck. The petitioner indicated that a judgment from the Vaccine Program was needed to opt out and that proceeding further would be unreasonable and a waste of resources. To receive compensation, a petitioner must prove either a \"Table Injury\" or that an injury was actually caused by a vaccine, supported by medical records or expert opinion. The Special Master found that there was insufficient evidence in the record for the petitioner to meet her burden of proof. Consequently, the case was dismissed for insufficient proof, as requested by the petitioner. Special Master Katherine E. Oler issued the decision on August 12, 2021. Petitioner's counsel was Andrew D. Downing, and respondent's counsel was Emily Manoso. The decision was designated \"not to be published\" but will be posted on the Court of Federal Claims' website.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Katherine E. Oler","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Andrew D. Downing","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Van Cott & Talmante, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Phoenix, AZ","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|andrew-downing|","firm_canonical_key":"van-cott-and-talmante","package_title":"MERINO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723-0","title":"MERINO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/12/2021) regarding 32 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (nvb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-10-12","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":235745,"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-01723/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01723-1","title":"MERINO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/20/2022) regarding 44 DECISION on Attorneys' Fees and Costs. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (emh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-11-01","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}