SIRVA Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis

IMPORTANT: This information does NOT apply to injuries from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder from a Vaccine Shot

Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, can develop after a vaccine is injected incorrectly. It is a type of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) and can lead to severe pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the affected shoulder. 

This condition happens when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and tightens, making movement difficult. The less you move your shoulder due to the pain, the more the condition can progress, leading to severe stiffness and loss of function.

If you developed adhesive capsulitis after a vaccine, here’s what you need to know.

How Can a Vaccine Cause Adhesive Capsulitis?

Adhesive capsulitis can happen when a vaccine is injected too high on the shoulder, irritating the joint capsule instead of going into the deltoid muscle. This can lead to inflammation, tissue thickening, and restricted shoulder movement. 

In some cases, your body may also have an inflammatory reaction to the vaccine itself, which can worsen swelling and stiffness in the shoulder.

Yes. If you developed adhesive capsulitis after receiving a vaccine, you may qualify for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This federal program provides financial relief for people suffering from vaccine-related injuries. 

Compensation through the VICP may help cover: 

  • Medical expenses for treatment and physical therapy
  • Lost wages if your shoulder injury affected your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering related to long-term stiffness and discomfort

A vaccine injury attorney can guide you through the claims process at no cost to you. 

Criteria for SIRVA Compensation Claim in the VICP

You must meet very specific criteria to be considered for a SIRVA claim under the Vaccine Injury Compensation program.

  • Timing: Symptoms generally need to appear within 48 hours of getting the vaccine.
  • Location: The pain and/or injury must be localized to the same shoulder as the vaccine was given.
  • Duration: The injury must last for more than six months or required surgery within that time frame.
  • Documentation: You’ll need medical records to prove the onset and duration of the symptoms are related to SIRVA.

Meeting these onset criteria is important for your claim to be considered valid under the VI

Successful SIRVA Case Results

Our firm has helped many clients receive compensation for SIRVA-related injuries, including adhesive capsulitis. If you believe a vaccine caused your adhesive capsulitis, contact us for a free case evaluation today.

Settlement AmountsIllness or SymptomsStateVaccine NameLink to Court DecisionDate
$443,284 SIRVAIllinoisInfluenza VaccineCase 13-795V1/28/16
$285,300 SIRVAColoradoFluCase 16-896V8/2/19
$246,973 SIRVA VirginiaTetanus DiphtheriaCase 15-729V12/15/15
$210,000SIRVANew HampshireFluCase 20-1807V1/10/23
$203,785 SIRVAKentuckyInfluenza VaccineCase 19-0456V12/16/20

Why mctlaw is the right law firm for your SIRVA Frozen Shoulder Syndrome

  • Decades of Successful Results
  • Unmatched Legal and Medical Resources
    • Our attorneys collaborate with top medical experts, including neurologists and immunologists, to build the strongest case possible. mctlaw’s deep legal and scientific knowledge gives clients a powerful advantage in securing compensation.
  • Zero Cost to You
    • You never pay us and you keep 100% of any money awarded. The federal government covers all attorney fees through the VICP, so there’s no financial risk to you by hiring us.
  • Fighting to Maximize Your Compensation
    • Vaccine cases are defended by government attorneys from the Department of Justice. We have the experience and legal strategy to fight back and maximize your compensation.
  • Proven Success in Complex Cases

Symptoms and Stages of Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis typically develops in three stages:

  • Freezing Stage: The shoulder becomes stiff and painful, making movement difficult. Pain often worsens at night.
  • Frozen Stage: Pain may decrease, but the shoulder remains very stiff, making it hard to perform daily activities.
  • Thawing Stage: Over months or even years, the shoulder slowly regains movement as pain lessens.

How Is Frozen Shoulder Different from Adhesive Capsulitis?

The term frozen shoulder is sometimes used interchangeably with adhesive capsulitis, but they have different causes: 

  • Primary adhesive capsulitis is caused by inflammation of the shoulder’s connective tissue.
  • Frozen shoulder is a secondary type of adhesive capsulitis that occurs when the muscles surrounding the shoulder capsule tighten due to injury or lack of movement. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common vaccines that cause adhesive capsulitis? 

The most common vaccines that we see causing SIRVA or adhesive capsulitis are the influenza vaccine, tetanus shot, and pneumonia vaccines.

How do I start a SIRVA claim for adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder? 

If you think you have SIRVA, you should seek medical treatment to document your injury, contact mctlaw for a free consultation, and begin to gather any medical records you have available. 

What is a typical settlement amount for an adhesive capsulitis SIRVA claim?

It varies, but compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Read more about our case settlement results

How much will I need to pay in attorney fees? 

Nothing. The VICP covers all attorney fees and costs. You pay nothing to hire an mctlaw vaccine injury attorney. Our attorneys petition the court at the end of your case for payment from the program. 

Court of Federal Claims Vaccine Court

What is the VICP? 

Find out about this four billion dollar fund meant to compensate people for vaccine injuries. 

vial of vaccine and syringe going into it

What vaccines are covered by the VICP? 

Learn more about which vaccines are included in the program. 

Content Reviewed by Diana Stadelnikas – Vaccine Injury Lawyer

Headshot of MCTLaw attorney Diana Stadelnikas

Diana L. Stadelnikas is a lawyer who represents vaccine injury clients and families across the United States. She is admitted to the Florida Bar and is a member of the bar of the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. Ms. Stadelnikas has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Diana was part of a pioneering team of pediatric surgical nurses at West Virginia University Medical Center.

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