{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486-0","petitioner_identifier":"C.R.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":1.25,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"DTaP","vaccination_date":"2018-06-18","condition_raw":"encephalopathy and autism","condition_category":"ASD_autism","autism_spectrum_adjacent":1,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2023-04-07","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:33:12.157107+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":3,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged that C.R., age 15 months, suffered an acute encephalopathy and subsequent autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following DTaP, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccinations on June 18, 2018. Petitioner relied on a letter from pediatrician Carl Backes, D.O., who opined that C.R. experienced encephalopathic signs within 72 hours of vaccination based on parental report. However, contemporaneous medical records did not support these alleged acute symptoms or a diagnosis of encephalopathy. The medical records indicated developmental concerns, including speech delay and signs of autism, emerging around 15 months of age. A neurologist's record stated, \"I cannot conclusively blame this on his immunization.\" The Special Master, Daniel T. Horner, found no preponderant evidence of an acute or chronic encephalopathy as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, nor evidence of encephalopathy caused-in-fact by the vaccinations. The Special Master also noted that claims of vaccine-caused autism have been uniformly dismissed. The case was denied and dismissed on the existing record after the petitioner failed to respond to a show cause order. Petitioner's counsel was Braden Andrew Blumenstiel, and respondent's counsel was Voris Edward Johnson.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-06-17","case_summary":"On June 17, 2021, Terra Ramsey, mother and natural guardian of C.R., filed a petition alleging that her son suffered neurological issues, including dizziness, loss of equilibrium, hindered motor skills, uncontrollable crying, and decreased consciousness within 24 hours of receiving DTaP, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccinations on June 18, 2018. C.R. was approximately 15 months old at the time of vaccination. The petition alleged that C.R. was eventually diagnosed with encephalopathy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Petitioner provided a letter from C.R.'s pediatrician, Carl Backes, D.O., who supported the claim of post-vaccination encephalopathy based on parental report. However, contemporaneous medical records did not reflect these acute symptoms or a diagnosis of encephalopathy. The medical records indicated developmental concerns, including speech delay and signs of autism, emerging around 15 months of age. A neurologist noted that he could not conclusively blame the condition on immunization. The Special Master, Daniel T. Horner, noted that the petitioner had not responded to a show cause order, but granted extensions for the petitioner to file additional evidence or respond. Ultimately, no further filings were made by the petitioner. The Special Master reviewed the existing record and found that the petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that C.R. suffered an acute or chronic encephalopathy within the Vaccine Injury Table timeframes. The decision noted that the symptoms described in the petitioner's affidavit were not supported by the medical records, and that there was no explanation for why these symptoms were not reported promptly or at subsequent medical encounters. The Special Master also found that the evidence did not support a finding of encephalopathy caused-in-fact by the vaccinations, noting that Dr. Backes relied solely on parental report and did not record an encephalopathy diagnosis in his treatment records, while C.R.'s neurologist expressed doubt about a vaccine connection. The court also noted that claims of vaccine-caused autism have been uniformly dismissed in prior cases. The Special Master concluded that the petitioner had not preponderantly established that the vaccinations caused C.R.'s alleged encephalopathy or ASD, and therefore, the case was denied and dismissed. Petitioner's counsel was Braden Andrew Blumenstiel. Respondent's counsel was Voris Edward Johnson.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Daniel T. Horner","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Braden Andrew Blumenstiel","petitioner_attorney_firm":"The Law Office of Dupont & Blumenstiel","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dublin, OH","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|braden-blumenstiel|","firm_canonical_key":"law-office-of-dupont-and-blumenstiel","package_title":"RAMSEY v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486-0","title":"RAMSEY v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/13/2023) regarding 29 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (amb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-04-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":324550,"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-01486/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01486-1","title":"RAMSEY v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 6/7/2024) regarding 37 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (sh). Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-07-02","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}