Vaccine Injury Court Master; Trial Judge

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 - 300aa-34 (2006)) vests jurisdiction in the Court of Federal Claims to decide vaccine injury cases. The Court's judges appoint special masters for four-year terms, subject to reappointment for additional four-year terms.

The special masters function as the trial judges in these often medically complex vaccine cases. They oversee all aspects of record development, conduct evidentiary hearings, resolve factual and legal disputes, and issue final decisions on entitlement to compensation, damages, and attorney's fees and costs. Special masters rule on motions and evidentiary issues, and they supervise alternative dispute resolution processes. A special master's final decision is subject to appeal to the Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and, ultimately, to the Supreme Court of the United States.