
SIRVA Shoulder Injuries and Impingement Syndrome
IMPORTANT: This information does NOT apply to injuries from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Understanding SIRVA and shoulder impingement syndrome from a vaccine shot
Shoulder impingement syndrome can develop if a vaccine shot is given incorrectly. It is a type of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration, or SIRVA, and can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and difficulty with daily activities.
SIRVA commonly happens when a vaccine is injected too high on the arm and can damage shoulder tissue. Additionally, some people experience an inflammatory response to the vaccine, contributing to impingement syndrome.
How a Vaccine Injection Can Lead to Impingement Syndrome
This injury occurs when a vaccine is delivered too high on the shoulder, causing the needle to enter the shoulder joint capsule instead of the deltoid muscle. This can damage:
- Rotator cuff tendons
- Shoulder ligaments
- Bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint)
The injury may also result from an inflammatory response to the vaccine. This inflammation leads to swelling that narrows the space within the shoulder joint, causing pain and limiting movement.
The most common vaccines linked to SIRVA shoulder impingement include:
- Influenza (flu) vaccine, also known as the seasonal flu shot
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap, DTaP, Td) vaccines
- Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines
- Meningococcal vaccine
How to get compensation for vaccine shoulder injuries from the VICP
If you developed impingement syndrome after receiving a vaccine, you may qualify for compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This federal program provides financial relief to people who suffer serious vaccine-related injuries.
Filing a claim through the VICP can help cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
An experienced vaccine injury attorney can guide you through the process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Criteria for SIRVA Compensation Claim
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 VICP.
Recent SIRVA Case Results: Compensation for Vaccine Shoulder Injuries
Our firm has helped many clients receive compensation for SIRVA-related injuries, including impingement syndrome. If you believe a vaccine caused your impingement syndrome, contact us for a free case evaluation today.
Settlement Amounts | Illness or Symptoms | State | Vaccine Name | Link to Court Decision | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$443,284 | SIRVA | Illinois | Influenza Vaccine | Case 13-795V | 1/28/16 |
$285,300 | SIRVA | Colorado | Flu | Case 16-896V | 8/2/19 |
$246,973 | SIRVA | Virginia | Tetanus Diphtheria | Case 15-729V | 12/15/15 |
$210,000 | SIRVA | New Hampshire | Flu | Case 20-1807V | 1/10/23 |
$203,785 | SIRVA | Kentucky | Influenza Vaccine | Case 19-0456V | 12/16/20 |
Why mctlaw is the right law firm for your SIRVA shoulder tendonitis
- Decades of Successful Results
- With a track record of success in vaccine injury cases, mctlaw has secured hundreds of millions in vaccine injury compensation for our clients. Our decades of experience make us a proven leader in VICP claims.
- 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 in hiring us.
- We Take on the Government
- Vaccine cases are defended by government attorneys from the Department of Justice. We have the experience and aggressive legal strategy to fight back and maximize your compensation.
- Proven Success in Complex Cases
- We’ve won major cases involving Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), SIRVA, Transverse Myelitis, and more. Our track record speaks for itself.
Symptoms of Vaccine-Related Impingement Syndrome
People with impingement syndrome often experience:
- Sharp or aching pain in the front or side of the shoulder
- Increased pain when raising the arm or reaching overhead
- Weakness and stiffness in the shoulder
- Pain that worsens at night, especially when lying on the affected side
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the shoulder
- Clicking or popping sounds when moving the arm
A doctor can diagnose impingement syndrome using imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds to check for swelling, inflammation, or structural damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common vaccines that cause impingement syndrome?
The most common vaccines that we see causing SIRVA or impingement syndrome are the influenza, tetanus, and pneumonia vaccines.
How do I start a SIRVA claim for impingement syndrome?
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 impingement syndrome 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. You will keep 100% of any money awarded.

What is the VICP?
Find out about this four billion dollar fund meant to compensate people for vaccine injuries.

What vaccines are covered by the VICP?
Learn more about which vaccines are included in the program.
Content Reviewed by Joseph Vuckovich – Vaccine Injury Lawyer

Joseph Vuckovich represents clients in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He is based in mctlaw’s Washington, DC office. Joe studied neuroscience and psychology at Harvard where he earned his B.S. degree. He earned a Master’s Degree in biology from the University of Cambridge in the UK, and his law degree from New York University School of Law. Joe grew up in Pittsburgh and now lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and daughter.
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