Erica Kraus v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2026)

Erica Kraus filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 27, 2024, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 27, 2023. She claimed the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury was within the Vaccine Injury Table time period, she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and there had been no other award or settlement for her injury.

The Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other condition. Nevertheless, on May 6, 2026, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Pursuant to the stipulation, Erica Kraus was awarded a lump sum of $17,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages.