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 complete

Case Summary

This is a case challenging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) failure to act on a medical condition.  On June 23, 2026, several individuals experiencing symptoms attributed to Havana Syndrome or Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and a nonprofit, Justice, Inc., filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in the Tampa Division. The plaintiffs sued the CDC, NIH, and the Director of both agencies i…

This is a case challenging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) failure to act on a medical condition. 

On June 23, 2026, several individuals experiencing symptoms attributed to Havana Syndrome or Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and a nonprofit, Justice, Inc., filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in the Tampa Division. The plaintiffs sued the CDC, NIH, and the Director of both agencies in his official capacity, asserting violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Public Health Service Act. The plaintiffs alleged that the agencies unlawfully withheld action by failing to extend diagnostic guidance, surveillance, and treatment access for AHI to civilians, despite providing such protections to federal employees. The plaintiffs sought declaratory relief, an order compelling the agencies to recognize AHI/Havana Syndrome in civilians, issue diagnostic guidance, establish a civilian surveillance system, provide civilians equal access to NIH research and treatment programs, and issue public health alerts; and an award of attorney's fees and costs. The case was assigned to District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alexis Gil (7/10/2026)

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)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

8:26-cv-01822

Complaint

June 23, 2026

June 23, 2026

Complaint

Docket

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

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:10 a.m.

Docket for: Ber v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 June 23, 2026

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

Clearinghouse
2 June 23, 2026

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)

1

View on RECAP

RECAP
3 June 24, 2026

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)

RECAP
4 June 24, 2026

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)

RECAP
June 24, 2026

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

June 26, 2026

Fees Paid

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)

5 June 29, 2026

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)

RECAP
June 30, 2026

Fees Paid - Pro Hac Vice

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)

6 July 1, 2026

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)

RECAP
July 1, 2026

Order

7 July 6, 2026

NOTICE of a related action per Local Rule 1.07(c) by Len Ber, Mayra Bermudez, Joseph P. Brady, L. M., Deborah Mahanger, Beatrice McLaughlin, Targeted Justice, Inc., Catherine Thompson. Related case(s): No (Toledo, Ana) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

RECAP
8 July 6, 2026

CERTIFICATE of counsel of Interested Persons and Corporate Disclosure Statement by Ana Luisa Toledo on behalf of Len Ber, Mayra Bermudez, Joseph P. Brady, L. M., Deborah Mahanger, Beatrice McLaughlin, Targeted Justice, Inc., Catherine Thompson (Toledo, Ana) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

RECAP
9 July 6, 2026

PROOF of service - All Defendants served on 7/06/2026. (Toledo, Ana) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

RECAP

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

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiffs are several individuals experiencing symptoms attributed to Havana Syndrome or Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and a nonprofit, Justice, Inc.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Director of National Institute of Health

National Institute of Health (NIH)

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Florida 8:26-cv-01822

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Document/Information

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Medical/Mental Health Care:

Medical care, general

Medical care, unspecified

Recommended Citation