Contaminated Steroid Injections Injury Lawsuit. Our firm is investigating potential lawsuits on behalf of Michigan residents who developed fungal meningitis due to contaminated steroid injections manufactured by the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Massachusetts. The suspect medication involves over 17,000 recalled vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate, prompting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) […]
Contaminated Steroid Injections Injury Lawsuit. Our firm is investigating potential lawsuits on behalf of Michigan residents who developed fungal meningitis due to contaminated steroid injections manufactured by the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Massachusetts. The suspect medication involves over 17,000 recalled vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate, prompting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advise against using any products from the company.
The New England Compounding Center has also recalled additional products, including epidural anesthetics used to reduce pain during childbirth. The recall list was expanded “due to the potential risk of contamination, and in cooperation with an investigation being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy.” said the FDA.
As of October 8, 2012, the CDC has documented over 100 cases of fungal meningitis caused by steroid injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate. As of that date, Michigan has had the second largest number of cases, with 21 patients affected and 2 deaths. Patients who received the recalled injections are now told to watch for signs of meningitis, including:
Unlike other forms of meningitis, these patients are not contagious.
The outbreak has been detrimental for patients who were only expecting to receive treatment for their back pain. The Associated Press recounts one case of a man who lost his wife because of the tainted medications. Michigan man George Cary said that his wife Lilian Cary died after receiving a routine injection at the Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton. To make matters worse, Cary also learned that he may be at risk as well after receiving a spinal tap. “They advised me to watch for symptoms…At this point, there’s nothing abnormal, but they said the same thing when Lilian had hers. … Not only have I lost my wife, but I’m watching the clock to see if anything develops.” he told Associated Press.
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).
