NICHOLAS BERNHARDT, by his father and next best friend, JOHN BERNHARDT, v. SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
(05-592V)
Vaccine Act: A challenge to a non-custodial parent's
right to sue on behalf of a minor child implicates this court's
jurisdiction
under the Vaccine Act and, as such, presents an issue that must be decided
before proceedings are permitted to continue. The court's jurisdiction under the
Vaccine Act is not confined to review of a special master's decision but
rather extends to all determinations of a special master for which relief may
be sought under Rule 60(b). Where a petitioner's purpose in filing
a voluntary dismissal is frustrated by a retroactive change in procedure,
the
court has authority under Rule 60(b)(6) to vacate the dismissal and
reinstate the petition.