Nelson Ferry v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On December 14, 2020, Nelson Ferry, then 70 and a retired police sergeant, filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 29, 2019 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The record showed that Mr.

Ferry had prior orthopedic history but no left shoulder condition that explained the new post-vaccination symptoms. He described severe left arm and shoulder pain soon after the shot, followed by limitations in reaching, dressing, driving, sleeping, household work, and activities he had previously enjoyed.

He pursued medical care, imaging, injections, and therapy over an extended period. The damages record also addressed mileage and out-of-pocket expenses, while petitioner sought additional reimbursement for home-remodeling labor he said became necessary because of his shoulder limitations.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement for a Table SIRVA.

At damages, he credited significant shoulder pain and functional disruption but rejected the requested home-remodeling labor as insufficiently tied to compensable Vaccine Act damages. On August 28, 2025, he awarded $85,000.00 for pain and suffering, $280.98 in unreimbursed expenses, and $3,013.84 for mileage, for a total of $88,294.82.