In the past month, an alarming outbreak of fungal meningitis has spread across the United States, affecting certain people who have received contaminated steroid injections. Unfortunately, when seeking pain relief, typically from back pain, these consumers trusted that the medication which they were given would be safe and help alleviate their pain; however, this has been far from reality, as 170 people have developed a rare form of fungal meningitis, an infection of the membranes on the brain and spinal cord. Sadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there have also been a total of fourteen deaths so far, with more reports of infection and possible deaths expected as upwards of 13,000 people were given this steroid injection.
It is believed that this steroid, produced by the pharmaceutical compounding company the New England Compounding Center, Inc., was contaminated during the compounding process of the fungus and preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate. Those who have been affected and developed fungal meningitis have shown a range of the following symptoms of this infection:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fever
- Chills
- Disorientation and mood swings
- Extremely painful headaches
- Decreased consciousness
- Quick or rapid breathing
- A stiff neck, which is also known as meningismus
Thus far, the 170 people and their families who have been affected by this contaminated batch of steroids have filed personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against the company responsible. In these lawsuits, the victims are seeking monetary compensation for their losses, expenses, and other repercussions that resulted from the bacterial infection.
When innocent consumers, such as those who were given these contaminated shots unknowingly, are harmed by defective or contaminated medications, they can likely utilize the protections afforded them by civil law and pursue legal action against the responsible manufacturer, distributer, or designer. While the support of a personal injury lawyer is not legally required, many choose to enlist the support of a legal professional in order to give themselves the best chance of obtaining compensation for their injuries and/or losses. When successful, people who file personal injury and wrongful death claims may be able to gain compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, decreased quality of life, lost companionship, pain and suffering, and more. Thus, those who have already filed a claim against the New England Compounding Center, Inc., and those who may do so in the upcoming days may be able to get financial restitution for the suffering and injuries they’ve had to endure.
