Stacey Gooding v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

Stacey Gooding filed a petition alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 7, 2020. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

The Chief Special Master found that Ms. Gooding is entitled to compensation and awarded damages.

The decision details the legal standards for SIRVA claims under the Vaccine Injury Table, including the requirement for pain onset within 48 hours and the absence of other conditions explaining the symptoms. Respondent argued that Ms.

Gooding failed to establish timely pain onset and that a SLAP tear discovered during surgery was an alternative cause. The Special Master found that Ms.

Gooding's delay in seeking treatment was reasonable and that her pain onset occurred within 48 hours of vaccination. The Special Master also determined that the SLAP tear, which was asymptomatic and discovered during surgery, did not preclude a SIRVA diagnosis.

The decision awarded $122,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $1,805.60 for past unreimbursed expenses, for a total award of $123,805.60. The case was resolved by this damages decision.