Donna Verdisco v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On September 18, 2020, Donna Verdisco filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 20, 2017 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The public decisions identify her as an adult petitioner but do not state her exact age.
The case required fact findings because the vaccine record listed the right arm, while Ms. Verdisco maintained the injection was in her left arm.
Her September 25, 2017 annual examination did not mention shoulder problems. Five days later, on September 30, she reported left arm pain after a flu injection about 10 days earlier, with swelling and limited range of motion.
On October 24, orthopedist Dr. Redler recorded severe pain with the injection, pain down the arm, inability to move the left arm, exquisite deltoid tenderness and swelling, and severe pain with any motion.
MRI showed generalized edema and impingement/tendinosis without tear. Physical therapy records described a high shot, immediate severe pain, pain down the arm to the hand, and marked functional limits.
Chief Special Master Corcoran found that the vaccine was likely administered in the left arm and that onset occurred within the SIRVA time frame despite the September 25 silence. He credited consistent vaccine-associated left-shoulder complaints, the orthopedist and therapy records, and Ms.
Verdisco's account. After the fact ruling, respondent reserved appeal rights but conceded entitlement.
On October 27, 2025, the Chief Special Master found Ms. Verdisco entitled to compensation.
Damages remained to be determined.