Brent Stamm v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)

On November 13, 2020, Brent Stamm filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered in his left deltoid on November 15, 2017 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent opposed entitlement, arguing that Mr.

Stamm could not satisfy the severity requirement or the Table elements of a SIRVA claim. The public ruling described treatment beginning fourteen days after vaccination, when Mr.

Stamm saw his primary care provider with left-shoulder complaints. Two days later, an orthopedist recorded full range of motion and strength but positive impingement signs and diagnosed shoulder pain after vaccination.

Physical therapy began in January 2018, continued intermittently, and by April 2018 Mr. Stamm reported only thirty percent improvement.

He returned in November 2018 with persistent pain, underwent an MRI showing mild tendinopathy, acromioclavicular degenerative change, and mild bursitis, received a cortisone injection, and resumed therapy in January 2019. At discharge he had only minor improvement and pain with activities such as driving.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran credited Mr.

Stamm's affidavits, including his report that pain, tingling, and burning began within one day of vaccination, and his wife's corroborating account. The Chief Special Master found the symptoms localized to the vaccinated shoulder, found the range-of-motion and severity requirements satisfied, and held that Mr.

Stamm had proven a Table SIRVA. On December 11, 2024, the Chief Special Master awarded $47,500.00 as a lump sum payable to Mr.

Stamm. A later August 29, 2025 decision addressed attorneys' fees and costs only.