Ryland Beutz v. HHS - Meningococcal, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On February 27, 2023, Ryland Beutz filed a petition alleging that a meningococcal B vaccination administered on September 30, 2021 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The vaccination occurred during a 16-year-old well-child visit.

Respondent disputed the Table SIRVA onset requirement. Ms.

Beutz had a physical therapy appointment four days after vaccination for preexisting unrelated knee pain without mentioning shoulder pain, and when she called her primary-care office 11 days after vaccination she reported generalized symptoms rather than specifically naming shoulder pain. Respondent also pointed to a report that she attended volleyball practice after the shots and to later shoulder findings, including a SLAP tear, biceps tendinosis, and a glenoid cartilage/labral abnormality, as possible alternative explanations.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found onset within 48 hours.

Ms. Beutz stated that the injection site burned badly and became sharp pain the same day, that she cried that night from the pain, and that she could not lift her arm without shooting pain.

Her mother stated that immediately after the appointment Ms. Beutz complained of severe pain and inability to move the arm.

On October 14, 2021, two weeks after vaccination, Ms. Beutz returned to her primary-care provider reporting left arm pain after immunizations.

Later physical therapy, acupuncture, neurology, and pain-clinic records repeatedly linked the shoulder pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness to the vaccination, though the record also contained treatment gaps. The special master found the onset evidence sufficient and urged informal resolution, noting that treatment gaps could matter to damages.

The case then resolved by stipulation. On September 17, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Ms.

Beutz a lump sum of $65,000.00 through counsel's IOLTA account, representing all Vaccine Act damages.