Sheila Bjorklund Participates in Autism Causation Proceeding
6/12/2007
Media Alert
Interview, Video, Photo Opportunities
Sheila Bjorklund, former RN, represents 23 cases in special court with 60 other attorneys
MINNESOTA ATTORNEY AMONG TOP LEGAL COUNSEL IN CONTROVERSIAL MERCURY/VACCINES LINK TO AUTISM; FEDERAL "CAUSATION" PROCEEDING IN WASHINGTON SET FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS
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WHO:
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Minneapolis attorney - and former RN - Sheila Bjorklund (of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A.) is one of 10 attorneys from around the country on the Executive Steering Committee for the Petitioners (plaintiffs) in the Court of Federal Claims: Office of Special Masters, a special panel of three federal judges. The three judges will hear arguments pro and con about the controversial hypothesis that mercury in vaccines and/or the live-virus measles-mumps-rubella shot causes autism or autism-like symptoms in American children.
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Bjorklund, who is representing 23 families, and more than 60 attorneys from around the country are working on behalf of all plaintiff families against the defendants, or "respondents" at the US Department of Health and Human Services, represented by US Justice Department attorneys.
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WHAT:
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Often called the "Vaccine Court," the hearing is technically the "Autism Omnibus Proceeding" - a no-fault, non-adversarial adjudication that will examine the alleged causation between mercury in vaccines and autism in children - including approximately 4,800 claims now in the special court.
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WHEN:
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Arguments began Monday, June 11 and are expected to last three weeks.
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WHERE:
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Washington, DC - LaFayette Square
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WHY:
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With her training as a registered nurse and legal experience in personal injury cases, Bjorklund is an ideal Minnesota connection to national proceedings that are sure the be heavily covered by all media. She is representing individuals injured as a result of receipt of vaccines before the Federal Vaccine Court and brings an extensive background in health care administration as well as direct patient care to her practice of law.
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"Mercury in organic form as either ethylmercury (that is found in thimerosal) or methylmercury (that is found in fish) can be toxic to humans, "Bjorklund says. "It is undisputable that organic mercury can affect the human brain, immune system and other body systems. The debate before the Vaccine Court is whether the exposure to ethylmercury in vaccines was of a sufficient amount to cause long-term permanent harm such as neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism."
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LINKS:
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The Legal Times:
www.law.com/jsp/dc/PubArticleDC.jsp?id=1180515921934&hub=TopStories
Author/Expert Blogging about the case:
David Kirby: www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/see-you-in-vaccine-cour_b_51224.html
Daily updates, commentary and posting of legal documents:
www.a-champ.org
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CONTACT:
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Martin Keller, Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com.
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