Stacey Mooney v. HHS - Influenza, right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
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.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine in right arm, January 22, 2021, adult, alleged Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED after contested onset and damages. Theory: improper intramuscular vaccine administration caused shoulder inflammation/adhesive capsulitis. Respondent contested onset because first formal care was May 10, 2021, but Special Master Corcoran credited consistent records and affidavits showing immediate severe pain. Key evidence: May 2021 PCP/PT reports of pain since the shot, limited ROM, July 2021 MRI showing adhesive capsulitis/tendinosis/degenerative changes, August 2021 orthopedic diagnosis of severe adhesive capsulitis, September 23, 2021 arthroscopic debridement/capsular release/subacromial decompression/acromioplasty/manipulation, and 27 post-op PT visits through January 2022. Award: $105,000 pain/suffering plus $2,001.40 unreimbursed expenses. Decision September 29, 2025. Attorney Brynna Gang; respondent Felicia Langel.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00105