Case: Ber v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

8:26-cv-01822 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: June 23, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) Since 2016, U.S. government personnel have reported Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI), also known as Havana Syndrome—a neurosensory condition involving sudden auditory phenomena followed by neurological impairment. The condition is disputed; investigations have provided various theories on the cause of AHI, but there is no consensus. Congress responded with the HAVANA Act of 2021, which streamlined diagnosis, treatment, and compensation for…

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.)

Since 2016, U.S. government personnel have reported Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI), also known as Havana Syndrome—a neurosensory condition involving sudden auditory phenomena followed by neurological impairment. The condition is disputed; investigations have provided various theories on the cause of AHI, but there is no consensus. Congress responded with the HAVANA Act of 2021, which streamlined diagnosis, treatment, and compensation for federal employees and their families. 

Seven individuals, several allegedly diagnosed with or denied diagnosis for AHI, along with the nonprofit organization Targeted Justice, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Jay Bhattacharya in his capacity as NIH Director and Acting CDC Director. The case was assigned to District Judge Kathryne Kimball Mizelle. Plaintiffs allege Defendants violated § 706(1) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by failing to respond to a September 2025 petition requesting civilian diagnostic guidance, national surveillance, and equal access to NIH research. Plaintiffs also allege the agencies' inaction is arbitrary and capricious under § 706(2), noting that adapting existing federal-employee protocols for civilians would require only marginal effort. Plaintiffs seek declaratory relief. 
 
 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73519892/parties/ber-v-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Toledo, Ana L. (Florida)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:26-cv-01822

Complaint

June 23, 2026

June 23, 2026

Complaint

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73519892/ber-v-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention/

Last updated July 3, 2026, 3:06 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Jay Bhattacharya, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health filed by Mayra Bermudez, Beatrice McLaughlin, Catherine Thompson, Joseph P. Brady, Len Ber, Targeted Justice, Inc., Deborah Mahanger and L.M. a minor. (Filing Fee Not Paid - No IFP Filed) (eportal) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Proposed Summons, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet)(MCB) (Main Document 1 replaced to add corrected image on 6/24/2026) (MCB). (Entered: 06/23/2026)

1 Exhibit

View on PACER

2 Proposed Summons

View on PACER

3 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

June 23, 2026

June 23, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

MOTION for Ana L. Toledo to appear pro hac vice by Len Ber, Mayra Bermudez, Joseph P. Brady, Deborah Mahanger, Beatrice McLaughlin, Targeted Justice, Inc., Catherine Thompson. (eportal) (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(MCB) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Lindsay S. Griffin. (Entered: 06/23/2026)

June 23, 2026

June 23, 2026

3

ENDORSED ORDER granting the motion for special admission. Doc. 2. Attorney Ana L. Toledo must pay the special admission fee and submit a "Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration" through PACER. As explained in the Court's Administrative Procedures for Electronic Filing, failure to register for CM/ECF may result in the lawyer's termination from the docket, the lawyer's not receiving a copy of papers filed in the case, or the dismissal of the action. Additionally, the plaintiff is reminded that a proposed order is generally unnecessary and not permitted when filing a motion. Local Rule 3.01(k) ("Unless otherwise permitted by these rules, no party in a civil action may submit a proposed judgment or other order without leave."). Signed by Magistrate Judge Lindsay S. Griffin on 6/24/2026. (NGB) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

4

CIVIL CASE STANDING ORDER. Each nongovernmental party must file a Corporate Disclosure Statement using the standard template attached to this Order (also available on the undersigned's website under the "forms" tab) within fourteen days after appearing. Signed by Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle on 6/24/2026. (PBH) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

Fees Paid

June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026

FEES Paid by Len Ber, Mayra Bermudez, Joseph P. Brady, L. M., Deborah Mahanger, Beatrice McLaughlin, Targeted Justice, Inc., Catherine Thompson (Filing fee $405, Receipt Number TPA74500). (EGP)

June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026

5

SUMMONS issued as to Jay Bhattacharya, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health., SUMMONS issued as to Jay Bhattacharya, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (AW) (Entered: 06/29/2026)

June 29, 2026

June 29, 2026

Fees Paid - Pro Hac Vice

June 30, 2026

June 30, 2026

***PRO HAC VICE FEES PAID (Receipt Number TPA74513 for $150) by attorney Ana L. Toledo, appearing on behalf of All Plaintiffs. Related document: 2 MOTION for Ana L. Toledo to appear pro hac vice. (AW)

June 30, 2026

June 30, 2026

6

ENDORSED ORDER: Attorney Ana L. Toledo is directed to comply with Local Rule 2.01(b)(1)(G). By July 8, 2026, Attorney Toledo must register with the Middle District's CM/ECF system. Failure to comply with this order will result in the Court striking Attorney Toledo's appearance from the record. Signed by Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle on 7/1/2026. (PBH) (Entered: 07/01/2026)

July 1, 2026

July 1, 2026

Order

July 1, 2026

July 1, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Florida

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 23, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Florida 8:26-cv-01822

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Recommended Citation