Elizabeth D'Alessio v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On April 19, 2021, Elizabeth D'Alessio filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on September 27, 2020 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The parties were unable to resolve entitlement or damages, so the case proceeded to an expedited hearing.

Ms. D'Alessio reported that her arm felt painful and bruised the day after vaccination and that pain worsened over the following days with decreased range of motion.

Medical providers diagnosed rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis secondary to the flu shot, and imaging later showed bursitis, a partial teres minor tendon tear, mild biceps tendinosis, and osteoarthritic changes. Respondent contested entitlement primarily on the timing of onset, arguing that the most contemporaneous medical records did not clearly establish pain within 48 hours.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran credited Ms.

D'Alessio's and her husband's statements, together with records describing pain after or since the vaccination, and found the Table SIRVA onset requirement satisfied. He also found the remaining Table elements met and awarded damages in the same September 30, 2025 decision.

Ms. D'Alessio received $79,379.29 as a lump sum: $78,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,379.29 for past unreimbursed expenses.