VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01237
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01237
Petitioner: Tracy Kunca
Filed: 2016-09-30
Decided: 2017-11-03
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-07
Condition: pericarditis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 7500

AI-assisted case summary:
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.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Tracy Kunca alleged that the influenza vaccine administered on October 7, 2013, significantly aggravated her pericarditis, requiring hospitalization and surgical intervention or resulting in residual effects lasting more than six months. The Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by the Special Master. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $7,500.00 for all damages. The public decision does not specify the medical mechanism, expert testimony, or specific evidence supporting the claim or denial. The case was decided by Special Master Herbrina Sanders on November 3, 2017. Petitioner's counsel was Nancy R. Meyers, and Respondent's counsel was Adriana R. Teitel.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01237-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-11-03
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/06/2017) regarding 22 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (azc) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: September 6, 2017
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TRACY KUNCA, * No. 16-1237V
*
Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders
*
v. *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“flu”) Vaccine; Significant Aggravation;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Pericarditis.
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nancy R. Meyers, Ward Black Law, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner.
Adriana R. Teitel, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION1
On September 30, 2016, Tracy Kunca (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34
(2012). Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 7, 2013
significantly aggravated her pericarditis. See Stip. at ¶¶ 1-4, ECF No. 21. Petitioner further
alleged that she required “an inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention and/or
experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months.” Id. at ¶ 4.
On September 6, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision
should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Respondent denies that Petitioner’s flu
vaccine significantly aggravated her pericarditis or caused any other injury. Id. at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The
1 This decision shall be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine
Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information that
satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a
motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, such
material will be deleted from public access.
2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42
U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (hereinafter “Vaccine Act,” “the Act,” or “the Program”). Hereafter,
individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act.

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 2 of 7
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in
awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $7,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Id. at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Herbrina D. Sanders
Herbrina D. Sanders
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 3 of 7

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 4 of 7

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 5 of 7

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 6 of 7

Case 1:16-vv-01237-UNJ Document 25 Filed 11/03/17 Page 7 of 7