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Chemical structure of thiomersal. The large, light grey atom is the dreaded "Hg".

On June 11, 2007, the US Court of Federal Claims opened hearings on what has been dubbed theautism omnibus trial. This omnibus trial stems from over 4,800 lawsuits filed by families claiming thatthiomersal contained in earlier vaccinations and the measles in the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine played a causal role in the development of autism in their children. The case concluded in February 2009, ruling that the plaintiffs who claimedMMR andthiomersal-containing vaccines caused autism were not entitled to compensation.

This article discusses many of the aspects of the cases as well as the evidence presented.

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