Power v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 15-327V (Filed: January 9, 2017) UNPUBLISHED

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * PHILIP POWER and APRIL POWER,

* As the Parents and Natural Guardians

* Dismissal; Measles-mumps-rubella Of, C.P., a Minor, * (“MMR”) Vaccine;

* Encephalopathy; No Expert Report. Petitioners, *

* v. *

* SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mark Theodore Sadaka, Mark T. Sadaka, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for petitioner.

Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

DECISION1

Roth, Special Master:

On March 3, 2015, Philip Power and April Power (“petitioners”) filed a petition for Vaccine Compensation in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [“the Program”],2 on behalf of their minor child, C.P. Petitioners alleged that shortly after receiving a measles- mumps-rubella (“MMR”) vaccine on April, 12, 2012, C.P. suffered encephalopathy and behavioral changes. The information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program. On January 6, 2017, petitioner filed a “motion to dismiss petition” requesting that the case be dismissed. ECF No. 46.

To receive compensation under the Program, a petitioner must prove either 1) that he suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding to his vaccination, or 2) that he suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that C.P. suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence indicating that C.P.’s alleged injury was vaccine-caused or in any way vaccine-related.

Under the Act, a petitioner may not be given a Program award based solely on the petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical records or by the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, because there are insufficient medical records supporting petitioners’ claim, a medical opinion must be offered in support. Petitioners, however, have offered no such opinion that supports a finding of entitlement.

Accordingly, it is clear from the record in this case that petitioners have failed to demonstrate either that C.P. suffered a “Table Injury” or that his injuries were “actually caused” by a vaccination. Thus, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Mindy Michaels Roth Mindy Michaels Roth Special Master

“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act.