Laura Valentin Maalouf v. HHS - Pneumovax, cellulitis (2021)

Laura Valentin Maalouf filed a claim on November 21, 2019, alleging she suffered cellulitis as a result of a Pneumovax vaccination administered on September 11, 2019. The case progressed slowly, and during a status conference on January 27, 2020, Ms.

Maalouf confirmed her cellulitis had resolved within two to three weeks following antibiotic treatment. The Special Master noted that the injury's resolution within a few weeks meant the claim might not meet the statutory six-month requirement for certain vaccine injuries.

An order was issued on January 30, 2020, requiring Ms. Maalouf to confirm the resolution of her condition with no further sequelae by March 27, 2020.

She failed to comply with this order. Over a year later, on April 13, 2021, the respondent filed a motion requesting an Order to Show Cause, noting the lack of any further documentation from the petitioner.

This motion was granted, and Ms. Maalouf was ordered to respond by May 21, 2021, or show cause why the case should not be dismissed.

She failed to respond to this order as well. The Special Master found that Ms.

Maalouf had repeatedly failed to comply with court orders and had not prosecuted her case. Consequently, the case was dismissed for failure to prosecute and failure to follow court orders.