Lyndsey Langley v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

Lyndsey Langley filed a petition on November 12, 2020, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 22, 2018. Unlike many SIRVA cases resolved early by concession, her entitlement claim was litigated on the written record.

The medical records showed that Ms. Langley sought care the day after vaccination from FNP Kelly Gregory at Community Physician Group.

She reported left arm pain that began after the flu shot and radiated into the arm, back, and neck. She later continued to report severe left shoulder pain.

Physical therapy and an initial steroid injection did not fully resolve the problem. Orthopedist Dr.

Willstein noted pain out of proportion to the MRI findings and observed that he had seen similar shoulder problems after flu shots. An ultrasound did not show fluid, and a later bursal corticosteroid injection brought significant improvement, with pain reported at 2 out of 10 by January 2019.

Respondent contested entitlement, and the parties briefed the claim after settlement efforts failed. Chief Special Master Corcoran found that the evidence established Table SIRVA.

He credited the prompt post-vaccination onset, found that the injury was sufficiently limited to the vaccinated shoulder despite some radiating complaints, found no alternative condition that better explained the injury, and found residual effects for more than six months. Entitlement was granted on November 3, 2025.

Damages were resolved by proffer. On March 12, 2026, Ms.

Langley was awarded $175,000.00 for pain and suffering, payable as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account. She was represented by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil LLP in Dresher, Pennsylvania.