Tracy Kunca v. HHS - Influenza, pericarditis (2017)

Petitioner Tracy Kunca filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 30, 2016. She alleged that the influenza vaccine administered on October 7, 2013, significantly aggravated her pre-existing pericarditis.

Petitioner further claimed that this aggravation required hospitalization and surgical intervention, or resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months. The Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine aggravated her pericarditis or caused any other injury.

However, the parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation for damages. Special Master Herbrina Sanders reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

Petitioner Tracy Kunca was awarded a lump sum of $7,500.00 as compensation for all damages. The decision was entered on November 3, 2017.

The public decision does not describe the specific symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. Petitioner was represented by Nancy R.

Meyers of Ward Black Law, and Respondent was represented by Adriana R. Teitel of the United States Department of Justice.