Patrick Mahoney v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

Patrick Mahoney filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on December 16, 2021. The respondent determined the case was not appropriate for compensation, and the parties briefed the disputed factual questions.

The Special Master found that the petitioner's shoulder pain likely began within 48 hours of vaccination, that neither pre-vaccination shoulder pain nor another condition would likely explain his post-vaccination symptoms, and that his pain was primarily limited to the shoulder in which he received the vaccine. The decision noted that while the petitioner did not report his injury for over a month and a half and did not see a healthcare provider for it until three months post-vaccination, such delays are not uncommon in SIRVA cases and do not defeat the claim.

The Special Master also found that the petitioner did not have a history of left shoulder pain that would explain his post-vaccination symptoms, as pre-vaccination records did not document complaints or treatment for his left shoulder. The case was found to satisfy the criteria for SIRVA, and the petitioner was encouraged to serve a demand and engage in negotiations for damages.

The decision was filed on July 21, 2026.