Stacey Mooney v. HHS - Influenza, right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On January 26, 2023, Stacey Mooney filed a petition for compensation for a right shoulder injury after an influenza vaccination administered on January 22, 2021. The exact age is not stated in the public decision, but the damages proffer treated her as a competent adult.

Ms. Mooney described an unusually painful flu shot and right shoulder pain that began that evening.

She initially tried to wait it out during the COVID period, while continuing her work as a teacher. By May 2021, she reported persistent shoulder pain and decreased range of motion.

Physical therapy records described pain beginning the night of vaccination, difficulty dressing and doing her hair, pain with overhead activity, and fear that movement would make the injury worse. The pain did not settle with early therapy.

Imaging in July 2021 showed mild tendinosis, adhesive capsulitis, and degenerative changes, and orthopedist Dr. Stephen Orlevitch diagnosed severe adhesive capsulitis.

On September 23, 2021, Ms. Mooney underwent right shoulder arthroscopic surgery, including extensive debridement, capsular release, labral and rotator-cuff debridement, chondroplasty, subacromial decompression, acromioplasty, scar-tissue excision, and manipulation under anesthesia.

She then completed 27 post-operative physical therapy visits. By January 2022 she was doing well and pleased with the result, though she still had intermittent pain with stretching and slightly diminished motion.

Respondent contested entitlement, focusing on the delay between vaccination and formal treatment. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran credited Ms. Mooney's affidavits, contemporaneous treatment histories, and corroboration from her husband and a nurse colleague, and found that onset occurred within 48 hours.

On September 29, 2025, he awarded $107,001.40, consisting of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,001.40 for unreimbursed expenses. Ms.

Mooney was represented by Brynna Gang of Muller Brazil, LLP.