{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909-0","petitioner_identifier":"J.F.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":11.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":"2018-02-08","condition_raw":"epilepsy","condition_category":"seizure_disorder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2024-07-16","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:54:10.268991+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":1,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Christina Federline filed a petition on behalf of minor J.F. alleging injury from HPV vaccinations on February 8, 2018, and August 3, 2020, with alleged onset of \"staring spells\" around 2017-2018 and disorientation/seizures after the second dose, leading to an epilepsy diagnosis. The petition was filed on October 27, 2023, which was outside the 36-month statute of limitations. Petitioner sought equitable tolling, arguing unawareness of the Vaccine Program until June 2023 and J.F.'s minor status impeded diligent pursuit. Respondent moved to dismiss for untimeliness. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted the motion, finding Petitioner failed to establish both diligent pursuit and extraordinary circumstances. The court held that the Vaccine Act does not provide for minority tolling, unawareness of the program does not support tolling, and allegations of manufacturer misconduct did not constitute extraordinary circumstances. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, name medical experts, or detail the clinical progression beyond the initial allegations and diagnosis. The case was dismissed on July 16, 2024. Attorneys: Bijan Esfandiari for Petitioner, Julia M. Collison for Respondent. No award was made.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2024-06-18","case_summary":"Christina Federline filed a petition for compensation on behalf of her minor child, J.F., on October 27, 2023, alleging that J.F. suffered injuries from two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations received on February 8, 2018, and August 3, 2020. J.F. was eleven years old at the time of the first vaccination and thirteen years old at the time of the second. The petition alleged that J.F. began experiencing \"staring spells\" a few times a month around 2017 or 2018, with episodes of disorientation and spacing out occurring \"shortly after\" the second HPV vaccination in August 2020. The first \"bigger seizure\" reportedly occurred on November 28, 2020, and J.F. was later diagnosed with epilepsy. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, moved to dismiss the case, arguing that the petition was filed outside the Vaccine Act's 36-month statute of limitations. The petitioner acknowledged the untimeliness of the filing but argued for equitable tolling, asserting that she learned about the Vaccine Program only in June 2023 and that J.F.'s minor status at the time of vaccination impeded diligent pursuit. The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms of the \"staring spells\" or disorientation, nor does it detail any medical tests or treatments undertaken for J.F.'s condition. The decision also does not name any medical experts. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the case. The court found that the petitioner failed to establish both diligent pursuit and extraordinary circumstances, which are required for equitable tolling. The court noted that the Vaccine Act does not contain a provision for minority tolling and that unawareness of the Vaccine Program does not support equitable tolling. Allegations of manufacturer misconduct were also deemed insufficient to establish extraordinary circumstances. The court found that the petitioner's arguments about the vaccine manufacturer's purported fraudulent conduct were speculative and not evidentiarily supported, and that even if true, such allegations do not rise to the level of \"fraud\" that might excuse failing to file a Program claim in a timely manner. The court also addressed the petitioner's claim that she did not receive a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) or information about the Vaccine Program, noting that the contemporaneous medical records for both vaccination appointments stated that the petitioner and J.F. were provided with VIS and counseling. The court concluded that the petitioner had not established equitable tolling and therefore granted the respondent's motion to dismiss, finding the case was untimely filed. The case was dismissed on July 16, 2024. Petitioner's counsel was Bijan Esfandiari of Wisner Baum LLP, and respondent's counsel was Julia M. Collison of the U.S. Department of Justice. No award amount was granted as the case was dismissed.","is_minor_inferred":null,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Bijan Esfandiari","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Wisner Baum LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Los Angeles, CA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|bijan-esfandiari|","firm_canonical_key":"wisner-baum","package_title":"FEDERLINE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909-0","title":"FEDERLINE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 6/18/2024) regarding 13 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (abs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-07-16","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":231165,"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_23-vv-01909/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01909-0"}]}