{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478-0","petitioner_identifier":"Meredith Potts","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza (flu)","vaccination_date":"2020-09-30","condition_raw":"Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2022-12-14","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:25:26.315018+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":null,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Meredith Potts alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on September 30, 2020. The case was dismissed for failure to prosecute. Petitioner failed to provide supporting medical records and documentation, including evidence to meet the severity requirement (injury lasting more than six months or resulting in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention). Petitioner also became out of touch with her counsel, preventing compliance with court orders. The Special Master, Brian H. Corcoran, dismissed the case on December 14, 2022, citing Petitioner's failure to prosecute and disregard for court orders, referencing precedent such as Padmanabhan v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs. and Tsekouras v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs. No specific medical experts or causation theories were detailed in the public decision, as the case was dismissed prior to adjudication on the merits. Petitioner's counsel was Leigh Finfer, and Respondent's counsel was Heather L. Pearlman.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-01-11","case_summary":"Meredith Potts filed a petition on January 11, 2021, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on September 30, 2020. The petition was filed by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil, LLP, and the respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Heather L. Pearlman of the U.S. Department of Justice. \n\nFollowing the initial filing, the court ordered Ms. Potts to submit supporting medical records and other required documentation. Her counsel informed the court on May 13, 2021, that Ms. Potts had verbally authorized the withdrawal of her claim but that written authorization was still pending. Subsequent status reports indicated ongoing difficulties in obtaining this written authorization and in communicating with Ms. Potts. \n\nOn October 18, 2021, counsel filed medical records and a Statement of Completion. However, on November 3, 2021, the Special Master required Ms. Potts to file a PAR Questionnaire and medical records supporting the severity requirement, specifically that her shoulder injury persisted for more than six months or resulted in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention. A PAR Questionnaire was filed on November 29, 2021. \n\nAfter the deadline for medical records passed, the Special Master issued an order on February 10, 2022, requiring supplemental documentation regarding the severity requirement. On June 14, 2022, counsel filed a status report stating that Ms. Potts was unable to meet the severity requirement and remained out of touch. \n\nConsequently, on June 24, 2022, the Special Master issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute. Evidence of service on Ms. Potts by certified mail was filed on July 12, 2022. The Special Master noted that it is a petitioner's obligation to follow court orders, and failure to do so, whether due to attorney error, inaction, or the petitioner's failure to communicate with counsel, can result in dismissal. The Special Master cited precedent supporting dismissal for willful, repeated violations of court orders after clear warning. \n\nAs Ms. Potts had continued to disregard court orders without justification and remained out of contact with her counsel since April 2021, the case was dismissed on December 14, 2022, for failure to prosecute. The clerk was ordered to enter judgment accordingly. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued the decision.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Meredith Potts","petitioner_attorney_name":"Leigh Finfer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:30","attorney_canonical_keys":"|leigh-finfer|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"POTTS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478-0","title":"POTTS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/18/2022) regarding 22 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (abs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-12-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":227657,"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_21-vv-00478/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00478-0"}]}