Eckhart v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: August 16, 2019

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Z.E. a minor, by his mother, CRYSTAL * ECKHART, * No. 16-706V

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Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders

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v. *

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SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Dismissal; Insufficient Proof; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Encephalopathy; Fever; Seizures;

* Developmental Delay. Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren, et al., PC, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner.

Kimberly S. Davey, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.

DISMISSAL1

On June 16, 2016, Crystal Eckhart, on behalf of Z.E. (“Petitioner”), filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 (“Vaccine Program” or “Program”). 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that he developed an encephalopathy, or in the alternative, fever, seizures, speech/developmental delay, and/or other injuries, as a result of the Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (“DTaP”), Hepatitis B, pneumococcal conjugate (“PCV”), and polio (“IPV”) vaccines he received on January 31, 2014. Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. The information in the record, however, does not show entitlement to an award under the Program.

On August 7, 2019, Petitioner filed a motion for a decision dismissing his petition. ECF No. 49. In his motion, Petitioner conceded that he “has been unable to secure sufficient and/or persuasive evidence to prove entitlement to compensation in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at 1. Petitioner continued, “to proceed further would be unreasonable and would waste the resources of the Court, Respondent, Petitioner, and the Vaccine Program.” Id. Respondent had no objection to Petitioner’s motion. Id. at 2.

To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that he suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to the vaccination, or (2) that he suffered an injury that was actually caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record before me, however, did not uncover persuasive evidence that Petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record also does not contain persuasive evidence that Petitioner’s alleged injuries were caused by the vaccines identified above.

Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records and filed expert reports are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim. Therefore, this case must be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.3

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D. Sanders Herbrina D. Sanders Special Master