Laura Law v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On January 8, 2021, Laura Law filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 30, 2019 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent initially opposed compensation, arguing that the records did not show shoulder pain within 48 hours, did not show pain limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and did not establish the Vaccine Act severity requirement.
The entitlement ruling described a delayed first formal shoulder report. Ms.
Law first documented shoulder pain on February 12, 2020, about fourteen weeks after vaccination, and linked the pain to the flu shot. The Special Master nevertheless credited the broader record and found that she had no relevant prior shoulder condition, that her later reports supported a vaccine-related shoulder injury, and that the residual effects lasted past six months.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on July 29, 2025.
The later damages decision, originally filed January 30, 2026, awarded $70,000.00 in pain and suffering plus $1,574.93 in unreimbursed expenses, for a total of $71,574.93.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine October 30, 2019 allegedly causing SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated. COMPENSATED. Respondent contested onset, shoulder-limited symptoms, and severity; entitlement granted despite first formal shoulder report about fourteen weeks after vaccination. Award $70,000 pain/suffering + $1,574.93 expenses = $71,574.93. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition January 8, 2021; entitlement July 29, 2025; damages January 30, 2026.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00435