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

On June 2, 2021, Kimberly Wilcox, then 54, filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered in her left arm on September 17, 2020 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The damages record gave a fuller account of the injury.

Before vaccination, the record did not show recent left shoulder complaints, although she had been prescribed Naproxen for back pain. Eleven days after vaccination, she saw her primary-care provider for constant throbbing left shoulder pain that was not relieved by home treatment, with tenderness, limited range of motion, and positive impingement findings.

Orthopedic care followed. She received steroid injections, an x-ray, ultrasound, MRI arthrogram, and physical therapy.

Imaging showed mild infraspinatus tendinosis, bursitis or strain-type findings, and degenerative changes; later orthopedic records described chronic pain, biceps tendinitis, bursitis, and failed conservative care. Ms.

Wilcox underwent left shoulder surgery on February 24, 2022, including rotator cuff debridement, biceps tenodesis, subacromial decompression, and related procedures. She described night pain, limits on exercise and crocheting, difficulty with daily activities, and disruption to her work as a landscape designer.

Respondent argued that the injury was more limited and proposed $93,000.00, while Ms. Wilcox sought a higher amount based on surgery and the duration of pain.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on July 19, 2024.

On September 10, 2025, he awarded $117,500.00 for pain and suffering, with no separate unreimbursed expenses.