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

On December 17, 2020, Don Brown, then 66, filed a petition alleging that a senior-dose influenza vaccine administered in his left arm on November 13, 2019 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Mr.

Brown had no documented history of left shoulder pain before the shot. He described immediate pain, tingling, and arm symptoms during the injection and later reported the event to VAERS.

Medical records in early 2020 connected his shoulder pain and tingling to the November 2019 flu shot, and Iowa Orthopaedic Center records likewise recorded left arm pain beginning with the vaccination. Respondent contested entitlement, arguing that onset, range of motion, symptom localization, and possible carpal tunnel syndrome defeated a Table SIRVA claim.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran disagreed.

He found that the onset evidence satisfied the 48-hour Table window, reduced range of motion was documented, the shoulder remained the primary site of pain despite distal tingling, and carpal tunnel syndrome did not better explain the shoulder injury. On January 22, 2026, Mr.

Brown was awarded $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and $195.00 in unreimbursed expenses, for a total of $55,195.00.