Thousands of patients in 23 states received injections of what likely was a tainted batch of steroid epidurals produced by New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Massachusetts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has overseen the recall of 17,676 doses shipped in July when a serious fungal meningitis outbreak began blossoming, sickening 91 patients and killing 7 as of October 8, 2012. The Centers for Disease Control has been working feverishly with health departments in the affected states to notify those who were unknowingly injected with the contaminated drug to seek immediate medical intervention.
Fungal meningitis, much like bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis causes an inflammation of the brain and central nervous system that if not quickly diagnosed and aggressively treated will usually lead to death. It is reported that as many as 13,000 doses of the epidurals were injected into patients between July and September, 2012.
Azrael Franz, a Baltimore based law firm has followed this breaking story with considerable concern. Those who contract fungal meningitis are strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention. It is also prudent in this case to speak with an attorney skilled in complex medical litigation. Our firm has been working for over 30 years protecting the rights of victims injured due to negligence. We are prepared to fully investigate and prosecute actions against those responsible for this recent avoidable outbreak of deadly meningitis.
If you or a loved one has been notified of having been injected with the potentially contaminated epidural given for neck or back pain or if you suspect you have been affected please contact Judson Lipowitz, JLipowitz@azraelfranz.com, to determine all of the facts and assess your options in moving forward. We extend our best wishes for good health and a complete recovery to all those who have been impacted by these events.