Josie Ransom v. HHS - Influenza, alleged left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration and cervical radiculopathy (2026)

On April 6, 2022, Josie Ransom filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 19, 2020 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. She later attempted to proceed on both Table SIRVA and causation or significant aggravation theories.

The records showed important pre-vaccination history. In March 2020, six months before vaccination, Ms.

Ransom had constant left shoulder and arm pain radiating down the arm and was diagnosed with left cervical radiculopathy. After vaccination, her reports varied: the first documented post-vaccine complaint came 23 days later, while later records described pain beginning two days after the shot or on the day of vaccination.

Her symptoms included pain radiating from the neck across the shoulder to the elbow and intermittent numbness and tingling. Emergency and neurology records treated cervical radiculopathy and cervical disc disease as the leading explanation.

MRI later showed a large left-sided herniation and stenosis, and she underwent cervical discectomy and fusion in October 2021. Respondent opposed entitlement based on the prior radiculopathy and lack of reliable causation proof.

Ms. Ransom did not produce a supporting expert opinion and ultimately could not carry her burden.

Special Master Herbrina D. S.

Young dismissed the petition with prejudice on January 8, 2026.