Judge Dismisses 13 Parents' Claims Against Makers of Vaccines, Thimerosal

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Thirteen lawsuits filed by parents claiming that their children were injured as a result of exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines were dismissed without prejudice by a federal judge, who ruled that the parents' claims were barred by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Act. Deborah Laughter, et al., v. Aventis Pasteur, Inc., et al., No. 02-CV-1087 (M.D.N.C.)

U.S. District Judge James A. Beaty ruled that the parents first must resolve or exhaust their claims in the Court of Federal Claims before they can proceed with civil actions in state or federal court

In their complaints, the plaintiffs asserted claims …