Karen Yaeck v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2021)

Karen Yaeck filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 23, 2019, alleging she suffered a Table injury, specifically Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), as a result of her influenza vaccination on October 13, 2017. She asserted that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that her injury resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months, and that she had not received any prior award or settlement for this injury.

Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially denied that Petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, denied that the vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injuries or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the initial denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 21, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Pursuant to the stipulation, Karen Yaeck was awarded a lump sum of $100,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.