Laurie Ryan v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On November 23, 2022, Laurie Ryan filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 2, 2020 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. After Ms.
Ryan later died from reportedly unrelated natural causes, Carole Thero was substituted as representative of her estate. The record showed left shoulder pain and limited range of motion after vaccination.
An ultrasound was initially unremarkable, but an MRI showed a partial-thickness supraspinatus tear, tendinosis, bursitis, and other shoulder findings. Ms.
Ryan described pain that interfered with her work as a certified nursing assistant. A treatment gap followed after relocation and financial constraints, and she later saw an orthopedist about nine and a half months after vaccination.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Ms.
Ryan met the Table SIRVA requirements, including likely onset within 48 hours and residual effects lasting more than six months. On October 20, 2025, he awarded $40,000.00 for pain and suffering.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine November 2, 2020 causing SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated; estate substituted after death from reportedly unrelated natural causes. COMPENSATED after ruling. Evidence included shoulder pain/ROM limits, unremarkable ultrasound, MRI partial-thickness supraspinatus tear/tendinosis/bursitis, work impact as CNA, and treatment gap explained by relocation/finances. Award $40,000 pain/suffering. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition November 23, 2022; decision October 20, 2025.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01734