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

Elizabeth Cantrell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on September 24, 2020. She had no prior history of shoulder pain.

Approximately two weeks after the vaccination, she began experiencing pain and stiffness in her left shoulder, which was diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis. Petitioner submitted medical records and sworn declarations detailing her symptoms and their onset shortly after the vaccination.

Respondent did not contest that Petitioner had no prior shoulder issues, that her pain was limited to the left shoulder, or that there was no other condition explaining her symptoms. The court found that Petitioner's pain likely occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, satisfying the Table criteria for SIRVA.

Although Respondent argued about the precise onset timing and the weight of Petitioner's testimony, the court found preponderant evidence for entitlement. The court ruled that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, with the damages to be determined later.