Sandra Johnson v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Sandra Johnson filed a petition on October 17, 2024, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 12, 2023. A threshold issue was whether the vaccine had been administered in the left shoulder she claimed was injured.
The vaccination record listed the right arm, but the surrounding evidence pointed the other way. Ms.
Johnson was hospitalized for weakness and fatigue when she received the vaccine. Four and eight days after vaccination, records did not mention shoulder pain.
Ten days after vaccination she messaged that her left shoulder hurt after the flu shot, and the next day reported that her arm had become worse and she could not lift it. Physical therapy later documented left shoulder pain with onset on the vaccination date and mechanism as a flu shot to the left arm.
Her friend Carrie Lynn Lopez stated that the right arm was not accessible because of medical equipment, and other witness declarations supported left-side administration. Chief Special Master Corcoran found on January 5, 2026, that the vaccine was more likely than not administered in the left shoulder.
Respondent then filed an amended Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement, stating that the injury was consistent with Table SIRVA. Entitlement was granted on March 5, 2026.
Damages had not yet been awarded in the reviewed public record. Ms.
Johnson was represented by Laura K. Stanfield of Miller & Zois, LLC in Baltimore, Maryland.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine on October 12, 2023 causing left Table SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED; DAMAGES PENDING. Situs was disputed because vaccination record listed right arm, but petitioner, witnesses, and treatment records supported left shoulder administration; right arm was described as occupied by medical equipment during hospitalization. Symptoms included left shoulder pain message ten days after vaccination, inability to lift arm, PT noting onset on vaccination date, and later orthopedic care. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran found left situs on January 5, 2026; respondent then conceded Table SIRVA in amended Rule 4(c) report. Petition filed October 17, 2024; entitlement March 5, 2026. Attorney: Laura K. Stanfield, Miller & Zois.