Is SIRVA Permanent? Does It Go Away On Its Own?

Believe it or not, people may actually sustain a shoulder injury from vaccination. This medical condition is known as a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (or SIRVA for short). 

SIRVA can happen to anyone following injection in the shoulder. Why? Because it is caused by how the vaccination is administered into the shoulder, rather than a reaction to the vaccine itself. 

The good news is that if you suffered a shoulder injury from a vaccine like the flu shot, you may be eligible for compensation from the federal government in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). In 2017, the United States government amended the Vaccine Injury Table in the VICP to include shoulder injuries caused by all covered vaccinations.

In this article, we’ll discuss: 

• What is SIRVA? 
• Is SIRVA permanent? 
• What are some SIRVA treatment options to consider?
• What types of compensation are available to SIRVA patients? 

At Shannon Law Group, P.C., our vaccine injury lawyers have helped people across the United States file a petition for compensation following a SIRVA injury. We offer free consultations at a time that’s best for you. Contact us today at (312) 578-9501 to schedule yours. 

What Is SIRVA?

SIRVA stands for Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration.  This preventable shoulder injury happens when a vaccine is injected into the shoulder capsule, rather than the deltoid muscle. 

After this improper injection, inflammation often develops in the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Patients with SIRVA may experience pain within 48 hours of getting the vaccine and a decreased range of motion in the affected shoulder. 

As a result, their quality of life diminishes. Simple tasks such as getting dressed or unloading the dishwasher now become difficult. They’re no longer able to pick up their child, play an instrument, or garden with enduring intense shoulder pain. 

When you go to your doctor with shoulder pain, your doctor will perform a physical examination and may order several tests, including an MRI. You may be diagnosed with one of many shoulder injury diagnoses associated with SIRVA. 

These diagnoses include: 

• Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis) 
• Rotator Cuff Injury 
• Shoulder Bursitis 
• Tendonitis 
• Impingement Syndrome

Sometimes, doctors may not recognize that your shoulder injury was caused by an improperly placed vaccination. If you believe you have SIRVA, it’s important to speak to your doctor about your symptoms and seek treatment immediately. 

Can SIRVA Go Away On Its Own? 

SIRVA can go away on its own, but that’s not always the case. For some, their SIRVA injury needs a robust treatment plan to heal completely. Most people diagnosed with a shoulder injury from a vaccine make a full recovery after treatment. 

A SIRVA injury may heal within a few months with the right treatment plant. Others may experience chronic pain, and they will continue to go to physical therapy or take pain killers to manage their symptoms for the rest of their life. 

What are some SIRVA treatment options to consider?

Your doctor may prescribe a combination of physical therapy, steroid shots, and prescription pain medication to treat your SIRVA injury. 

In rare cases, he or she may recommend surgery to repair damaged tendons or ligaments. 

Speak with your doctor to find out what treatment options are right for you. 

What types of compensation are available to SIRVA patients? 

You may be thinking that SIRVA injuries are caused by medical negligence. In a sense, you are correct. Your shoulder injury wouldn’t have happened if it had been administered correctly. 

However, in most cases, you must file a petition for compensation in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) first before pursuing any type of civil lawsuit. Why is that? 

In 1986, Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, which created the VICP. The VICP is a no-fault alternative to a traditional civil or tort lawsuit. It was founded to prevent vaccine shortages and keep vaccination rates high. 

The VICP offers compensation to people found to be injured by certain vaccinations recommended for children and pregnant women. These vaccines include the TDaP/DTaP vaccinations, MMR vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, HPV vaccines, and more. 

The VICP is funded by a $0.75 excise tax on all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for routine administration. 

In 2017, the VICP was amended to include SIRVA as a covered injury for all vaccines on the Vaccine Injury Table. This rule change allowed an easier path to compensation for thousands of people with SIRVA. At Shannon Law Group, we’ve filed over 100 petitions on behalf of our clients with SIRVA injuries. 

Under the VICP, petitioners are eligible to receive the following types of compensation for their SIRVA injury: 

• Out-of-pocket medical expenses, including deductibles and anything you paid for out of 
• Past and future lost wages. 
• Pain and suffering (capped at $250,000)

You can learn more about how the VICP works by downloading a free copy of vaccine injury attorney Jonathan Svitak’s book, Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 

Experiencing an Adverse Reaction to a Vaccine?

Learn More About the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Download your free copy of Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by attorney Jonathan Svitak.

In this publication, Jonathan explains the history of this unique federal program and answers some of your most frequently asked questions about vaccine injury cases.

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Free SIRVA Claim Consultation Available 

If you or someone you love experienced SIRVA, our team of experienced vaccine injury lawyers is ready to help you through this time. Our attorneys are licensed by the U.S. Federal Court of Claims, so they can represent you no matter where you live in the United States. 

Schedule a free consultation now with one of our attorneys to learn more about your options. Call us at (312) 578-9501, or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get started. We’re available 24/7 to take your call. We look forward to hearing from you!