VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01843 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01843 Petitioner: L.A. Filed: 2023-07-17 Decided: 2024-08-16 Vaccine: human papillomavirus Vaccination date: 2020-10-22 Condition: Outcome: dismissed Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: Melissa Heffington filed a petition on behalf of her minor child, L.A., alleging injury following a human papillomavirus vaccination on October 22, 2020. The petition was filed with the Court of Federal Claims on July 17, 2023. Because no decision on the merits had been issued within the statutory timeframe, the petitioner was notified of her options. On July 16, 2024, Melissa Heffington elected to withdraw the petition. The Chief Special Master granted this request, concluding the proceedings and dismissing the case without a judgment on the merits. Theory of causation field: unclear Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01843-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-08-16 Pages: 1 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 7/17/2024) regarding 17 Order Concluding Proceedings. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (abs) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01843-UNJ Document 18 Filed 08/16/24 Page 1 of 1 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1843V UNPUBLISHED MELISSA HEFFINGTON on behalf of her minor child, L.A., Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: July 17, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. ORDER CONCLUDING PROCEEDINGS1 On October 19, 2023, Melissa Heffington filed a petition for compensation on behalf of her minor child, L.A., under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa—10 through 34.2 Petitioner alleged that L.A. suffered injuries after receiving a human papillomavirus vaccination on October 22, 2020. ECF No. 1. Because a decision had not been issued within the time specified in Vaccine Rule 10(b), a notice issued advising that “that the petitioner may withdraw the petition under section 300aa—21(b) of this title or the petitioner may choose under section 300aa—21(b) of this title to have the petition remain before the special master.” 42 U.S.C. § 300aa—12(g). On July 16, 2024, Petitioner timely filed a notice to withdraw the petition pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa—21(b). In light of Petitioner’s election to withdraw the petition pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa—21(b) (promulgated as Vaccine Rule 10(d)), Petitioner’s request to withdraw the petition is GRANTED. Accordingly, this Order hereby notifies the Clerk of Court that proceedings “on the merits” of this petition are now concluded, but no judgment “on the merits” should be entered by the Clerk’s Office. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 1 Because this Order contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Order will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.