Parker Waichman LLP

New Health Problems for Fungal Meningitis Victims

  Contaminated Injection Drug Linked To Fungal Meningitis. Victims of the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak linked to a contaminated epidural steroid injection drug who are fortunate to survive the infection may now be facing more health risks. According to a report from Gannett News services, a growing number of people who recently overcame a bout […]

fungal meningitis

 

Contaminated Injection Drug Linked To Fungal Meningitis. Victims of the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak linked to a contaminated epidural steroid injection drug who are fortunate to survive the infection may now be facing more health risks.

According to a report from Gannett News services, a growing number of people who recently overcame a bout of fungal meningitis after they received a contaminated steroid injection for treatment of back pain have now developed secondary complications. Several dozen people have been diagnosed with epidural abscesses or arachnoiditis after they’ve recovered from the life-threatening infection.

These epidural abscesses are pus-filled infections that rest on the epidural level fo the spine. Arachnoiditis is marked by a compression of spinal nerves and is extremely painful, the report added.

30 people have died after they were diagnosed with fungal meningitis

To date, 30 people have died after they were diagnosed with fungal meningitis linked to an injection drug they received in the weeks or months prior to their death. The drug was manufactured by a Massachusetts company, New England Compounding Center, which has since recalled the drugs and remains closed amid state, federal, and private investigations into conditions at the company’s headquarters that likely impacted the safety of the epidural injection.

Another 420 people, as of Wednesday, were infected with life-threatening but non-fatal cases of fungal meningitis and those who’ve been fortunate enough to endure the infection have begun experiencing these secondary complications.

Health officials at the state and federal levels are wondering currently how best to deal with this latest development and what risks these new conditions pose to those who’ve just recovered from fungal meningitis. The rates at which these complications develop is alarming, though. In Michigan, the second-most affected state in the outbreak, of the 119 infections reported, 51 people have developed epidural abscesses or arachnoiditis after recovering from fungal meningitis.

Some victims of the outbreak were released from their initial hospital

Some victims of the outbreak were released from their initial hospital stay after they had already developed epidural abscesses and would endure them until they caused “intractable pain, stroke, worsening symptoms, and problems with infusing antifungal medications,” the report notes.

Puzzling investigators in this case is the fact that epidural abscesses typically develop prior to a bout of fungal meningitis. In these cases, the complications occur after a person has recovered. Epidural abscesses are easier to treat than arachnoiditis, according to the report.

Need Legal Help Regarding fungal meningitis?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Took on my case when my original representative became dysfunctional. Accurate, knowledgeable, totally transparent. Excellent commincation, I couldn't have expected more. I highly recommend this firm!
Bob Ballard
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Want to thank you, Shelly Davis, for all that you did for me to receive my compensations thru out my career in The NYPD ! Greatly appreciated!!
Danny Torres
a month ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Great attorneys
Doug Whitman
2 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038