Stephanie Kreuze v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Stephanie Kreuze filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 28, 2022, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on October 7, 2021. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on October 27, 2023, conceding that Ms.

Kreuze is entitled to compensation. The respondent concluded that her injury was consistent with a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and that she met all legal prerequisites for compensation.

On October 30, 2023, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms.

Kreuze entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on December 1, 2023, the parties submitted a proffer on the award of compensation.

The respondent proposed an award of $50,690.00, comprising $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and $690.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. Ms.

Kreuze agreed to this proffered award. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on December 1, 2023, awarding Ms.

Kreuze a total of $50,690.00 in a lump sum payment, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Petitioner counsel was Paul R.

Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent counsel was Madelyn Weeks of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury beyond its classification as a SIRVA.