Proving a SIRVA claim means showing that your shoulder injury was directly caused by a vaccine administration error, not another condition.
To qualify for SIRVA compensation, you must link your shoulder injury, restricted movement, or related conditions like adhesive capsulitis to a specific vaccination event documented in your medical records. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a federal claims process managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides financial compensation for vaccine-related injuries without requiring a civil lawsuit.
A successful claim depends on clear evidence, accurate documentation, and the right legal guidance. By working with a vaccine injury attorney, you can present evidence that your injury meets the VICP criteria, establish the time frame between the vaccine administration and the first symptom, and prove that the vaccine caused your shoulder injury. Each step in this process strengthens your position to obtain fair compensation through the United States Court of Federal Claims on your behalf.
To prove a SIRVA injury and qualify for SIRVA compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you need solid, time-stamped medical documentation that connects your shoulder pain to a covered vaccine given in your upper arm. The goal is to show that the vaccine caused the injury and not some unrelated condition or activity.
Here’s the key evidence you’ll need and how to get it:
To qualify under the VICP, your shoulder pain must begin within 48 hours of vaccine administration. This needs to be written in your medical records, not just remembered.
Action step: At your first doctor visit, clearly say:
“My shoulder pain started within two days of my vaccination.”
Ask the provider to include the exact date of your symptoms and the date you received the vaccine in your medical notes.
If you didn’t go to the doctor immediately, request that your provider documents the delay and the reason you waited.
SIRVA only qualifies if the injured shoulder is the same side where the vaccine was given.
Action step: Ask your provider to write something specific like:
“Patient reports left-arm pain following left deltoid injection of flu vaccine.”
If your vaccination card doesn’t list the arm used, contact the pharmacy, clinic, or provider where you received the shot. Ask for the vaccine administration record, which should include injection site details.
If the site isn’t listed, your personal statement and the consistent reporting in your medical records can still be used, but it’s stronger if confirmed.
To win a SIRVA claim, your records must show that the injury wasn’t pre-existing or caused by another condition.
Action step: If you’ve never had shoulder issues, tell your provider and ask them to note:
“Patient denies prior history of shoulder injury or symptoms before vaccination.”
If you did have previous issues (even years ago), tell your lawyer. It doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but your legal team needs to address it properly.
Previous imaging, exams, or therapy notes can also help distinguish new injury vs. old.
A formal diagnosis helps prove that your symptoms were serious and consistent with known SIRVA injuries, such as:
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Bursitis
Rotator cuff tears
Tendonitis or impingement syndrome
Action step: Ask your provider directly if your injury could be related to the vaccine. Many doctors are familiar with SIRVA and will document this clearly when prompted.
Diagnosis codes (ICD-10) for these conditions strengthen your claim.
Imaging isn’t always required, but it often strengthens the claim and proves the extent of the shoulder injury.
Action step: If symptoms persist or worsen, request an MRI or ultrasound from your provider.
Make sure the radiologist report includes findings that align with your symptoms (e.g. inflammation, thickening of joint capsule, tendon tear, etc.).
Your treatment history shows how serious the injury is and how long it affected your life.
Action step: Keep every receipt, referral, and note related to your treatment.
Treatment often includes:
Physical therapy records (dates, duration, and outcome)
Steroid injections
Pain management consults
Surgical reports, if applicable
A long treatment timeline usually supports higher compensation.
Doctors’ notes should describe your pain, functional limits (e.g. can't lift arm, trouble sleeping), and your response to treatment.
Action step: Don’t underplay your symptoms. Be honest, specific, and consistent. Use examples like:
“Pain when reaching over my head” or “Wakes me up at night”.
These details help your attorney prove both the impact and the duration of the injury.
You can request records yourself, but if you work with My Vaccine Lawyer, we’ll handle all of it for you, including:
Ordering and paying for medical records
Requesting vaccine administration logs from clinics or pharmacies
Gathering billing statements, imaging reports, and therapy notes
Organizing and submitting everything to the Court of Federal Claims
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a no-fault federal claims system that provides financial compensation to individuals who suffer a vaccine-related injury, including SIRVA. It is operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and cases are handled in the United States Court of Federal Claims with oversight from a Special Master.
Instead of suing a doctor, pharmacy, or vaccine manufacturer in civil court, you file a petition through the VICP. If your SIRVA claim is successful, the program will cover your medical costs, lost income, suffering, and other related expenses. The system is funded by a federal excise tax on every dose of covered vaccine, not by the healthcare provider or pharmaceutical company.
The VICP exists to protect both public health and individual rights by offering a streamlined way to recover compensation for injuries like shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The program’s structure is designed to resolve cases faster and more fairly than traditional lawsuits, especially for people dealing with long-term shoulder pain, physical therapy, or lost earnings from a vaccine-caused injury.
More about the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
To prove a SIRVA claim, the vaccine must be a covered vaccine, and your shoulder injury must meet strict criteria.
Covered vaccines include:
Influenza (flu) vaccine
Hepatitis A and B vaccines
Tetanus-containing vaccines
MMR, DTaP, HPV, COVID-19 (only certain federally administered COVID-19 cases currently apply)
Covered injuries include:
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Nerve damage, adhesive capsulitis, bursitis, and other injection-related injuries
To qualify, your first symptom must appear within 48 hours of the vaccine administration, and the shoulder pain or limited motion must last more than six months, require surgery, or result in significant treatment costs. You must also show that the injury was caused by the vaccine, not by unrelated trauma or a prior condition.
If your SIRVA injury meets these requirements, you're eligible to pursue financial compensation through a federal claim in the Court of Federal Claims.
Learn more about SIRVA and covered vaccines
More on Flu Vaccine Injuries
The United States Court of Federal Claims is the exclusive venue where all Vaccine Injury Compensation Program cases are filed, including those involving SIRVA injuries. Instead of going through a traditional civil court, your SIRVA claim is handled in a specialized process where a Special Master reviews the evidence and decides whether you qualify for compensation.
When you file a petition, the Department of Health and Human Services evaluates the medical and legal evidence to determine if your shoulder injury was more likely than not caused by the vaccine administration. The Department of Justice then represents HHS in court and argues the government’s position before the Special Master.
This process is faster and less adversarial than a personal injury lawsuit. You’re not suing your doctor or pharmacist, you’re seeking justice through a federal program meant to support individuals injured by vaccines. If your case is approved, the court will issue a decision awarding you fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, all without going through a full trial.
More on the Vaccine Injury Court Process
If your SIRVA claim is approved through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you can receive financial compensation for your shoulder injury without filing a traditional lawsuit. The program covers actual losses, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, through a federally funded process.
Here’s what you can claim, with real settlement figures based on past cases:
Pain and Suffering – up to $250,000
Most approved SIRVA claims result in compensation between $75,000 and $125,000, depending on how severe the injury is and how long symptoms last. Claims involving surgery or permanent limitation may go higher.
Medical Expenses – fully reimbursed
Common costs for physical therapy, imaging, injections, and even shoulder surgery can range from $5,000 to $30,000+, and are typically covered in full.
Lost Wages – no cap
If your shoulder pain caused time off work, you can claim total lost earnings. Many cases involve wage recovery between $10,000 and $50,000+, based on job type and length of time missed.
Future Medical Costs – if applicable
Ongoing treatment like follow-up care or additional therapy can add $2,000 to $20,000+, depending on your situation.
View real examples: SIRVA Injury Settlement Results
Typical total settlements for SIRVA range from $75,000 to $170,000, but the amount varies depending on your evidence, injury severity, and how well your vaccine injury attorney presents your case in the Court of Federal Claims.
Proving a SIRVA injury on your own is undoubtedly difficult. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we take over every step of your SIRVA claim, so you don’t have to deal with the system or government attorneys on your own.
Here’s how we help you prove your case and win fair compensation:
We gather and review your medical records to confirm that your first symptom appeared within the required time frame after the vaccine administration.
We retain medical experts to explain how the vaccine caused your shoulder injury ,including diagnoses like adhesive capsulitis, bursitis, or rotator cuff damage.
We draft and file your petition in the United States Court of Federal Claims, all paperwork is handled on your behalf.
We communicate with Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, who defend the claim, and negotiate for the maximum settlement.
If needed, we represent you at a hearing before a Special Master but most cases settle without ever going to court.
Our job is to present evidence, protect your rights, and recover every dollar of compensation you deserve for your vaccine-related injury.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after a vaccine administration, get medical attention immediately then start documenting everything. The sooner your injury, symptoms, and treatment are recorded, the easier it is to prove your SIRVA claim and secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
Save your:
Vaccine card or proof of vaccination
Dates when your first symptom started
All medical records, imaging, prescriptions, and therapy notes
Documentation of any lost wages or time off work
Then contact a vaccine injury attorney to protect your claim.
We’ve helped thousands of people file successful SIRVA claims and recover the financial compensation they deserve through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program without going to court and without paying anything upfront.
Location
715 Twining Road, Suite 208B
Dresher, PA 19025
Tel: (800) 229-7704
Email: info@myvaccinelawyer.com
Services
We only handle vaccine injury claims. We know how to prove your injury, deal with the federal system, and fight for the full settlement you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Paul Brazil is a native of Dunmore, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Dunmore High School. For his undergraduate education, he attended Bloomsburg University where he majored in political science. He then went on to earn his JD from Widener University School of Law. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Brazil worked at a large Philadelphia civil defense firm where he litigated workers’ compensation claims and Heart and Lung Act cases. In 2012, he joined with his coworker Max Muller to form Muller Brazil.
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