Among the millions of Americans who get their annual flu shots, a small percentage experience pain that persists beyond the temporary localized pain at their injection site. This pain can range in intensity from mild to severe, and it can either remain localized to the shoulder or radiate through the arm and other parts of the body. In any case, abnormal pain following a flu vaccination will often be a sign of nerve damage or a potentially-serious shoulder injury.

Brachial Neuritis: Nerve Damage Following a Flu Shot

Brachial neuritis, also referred to as brachial neuropathy, brachial plexus injury and Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is an injury that results from damage to the nerves in the shoulder. These nerves form a network known as the brachial plexus, which connects the nerves in the spinal cord with the nerves in the upper arm.

Due to its location in the shoulder, the brachial plexus is at risk for being damaged during the administration of the tetanus shot, and other vaccinations. The first sign of vaccine-related brachial neuritis is usually tingling and numbness, or a burning sensation in the upper arm. The pain from brachial neuritis is typically accompanied by:

  • Loss of sensation in the arm and shoulder
  • Lack of muscle control in the arm and shoulder

In many cases, the symptoms and pain can subside within weeks or months and be replaced by weakness, atrophy and in some cases paralysis. As with all vaccine-related injuries, anyone experiencing symptoms of brachial neuritis following a tetanus shot or other vaccine should seek prompt medical treatment.

SIRVA: Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, referred to as “SIRVA,” often results from damage to the muscles, nerves and tendons in the upper arm and shoulder during the administration of routine vaccines. This typically occurs when the person administering the vaccine injects the patient too high up on the shoulder, or too deeply into the deltoid muscle. Vaccine-related shoulder injuries can manifest in several forms, including:

  • Bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Tendinitis

Along with shoulder pain, one of the first signs of most common symptoms of SIRVA is limited range of motion in the upper arm. Other symptoms of vaccine-related shoulder injury include:

  • Inflammation of the shoulder;
  • Pain that worsens with movement;
  • Difficulty sleeping on the affected side;
  • Stiffness in the arm and shoulder;
  • Weakness in the arm and shoulder;
  • Diminished strength.

For individuals diagnosed with brachial neuritis, SIRVA and other injuries resulting from needle injections, compensation may be available through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP has paid billions of dollars to injured parties, and the Vaccine Program covers the cost of legal fees, so filing a legal claim should come at little or no cost to the claimant. To learn more about the steps involved in filing a claim for vaccine injury compensation, we encourage you to read: What are My Rights After a Vaccine Injury?

Nationwide Legal Representation for Flu Shot Injury Claims

With offices in Washington D.C., Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates provides nationwide legal representation for claims under the VICP. If you would like to speak with an attorney about your rights following a flu or other type of vaccine injury, call contact Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates at (202) 775-9200 or request a free consultation online today.