Although the number of new fungal meningitis cases reported to federal officials has slowed, individuals across the country who have been affected by the contaminated steroid injections are just beginning to file lawsuits related to the deadly outbreak against the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The Massachusetts-based compounding pharmacy is currently facing at least 50 complaints brought by patients who developed fungal meningitis or another serious infection after receiving a recalled epidural steroid injection or other potentially tainted medications, and many of these lawsuits are being filed on behalf of patients who lost their lives in the outbreak. If you have suffered from a life-threatening side effect like fungal meningitis, or if you lost a loved one to a deadly infection related to the tainted steroids, contact our experienced attorneys at AMA Law to discuss your legal options.
INFECTIONS AND DEATHS LINKED TO CONTAMINATED DRUGS
According to the most recent update provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week, there have been at least 590 confirmed cases of fungal meningitis or infection among individuals who received medications compounded by the NECC, including 37 deaths. After dramatic increases in the number of reported infections and deaths throughout October and November, the number of new fungal meningitis cases finally appears to be slowing. Unfortunately, an estimated 14,000 people across the country received steroid injections that may have been contaminated, before the medications were recalled in early October, at which point they were removed from the market.
LAWSUITS FILED IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS
Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak in a variety of state and federal courts across the United States, with the first complaints arising weeks after the crisis was first brought to light. Cases have involved individuals diagnosed with fungal meningitis, joint infections and spinal infections, as well as individuals who required testing and medical monitoring after receiving a potentially contaminated injection, but who have not been diagnosed with an infection. On January 31, 2013, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hear oral arguments regarding whether or not all federal meningitis lawsuits should be consolidated before one judge as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL).
CONTACT OUR ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL HELP
The compounding pharmacy at the center of the fungal meningitis outbreak has indicated that it supports the formation of an MDL, as it expects hundreds of lawsuits related to the contaminated steroid injections to be filed in U.S. District Courts throughout the country in coming months. If you received a steroid injection compounded by the NECC that may have been contaminated, contact our knowledgeable lawyers at AMA Law for legal help. You may have grounds to file an individual lawsuit against the compounding pharmacy, or join an MDL if the lawsuits are consolidated, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses related to the deadly meningitis outbreak. Our reputable attorneys are standing by, ready to help.