A plate to reinforce a shear panel that has been weakened by an opening extending through the panel is provided. The plate is selected to have a shear load capacity greater than the shear panel without the opening. The plate has a plate opening similar to the panel opening, and is secured to the panel with a predetermined strength and arrangement of panel fasteners. The plate is sized to fit between adjacent structural members. Opposing side flanges extend outwardly from the plate. Flange fasteners of predetermined strength and spacings are used to secure the flanges to the structural members.