McGrath Law Firm, spearheaded by former federal prosecutor, Attorney Peter G. McGrath, signs on clients exposed to meningitis from tainted steroid shot which resulted in exposure to Aspergillus Meningitis. The shots were given mostly to treat back pain. If you or someone you know has received a steroid injection recently, and beleive you were exposed, give us a call to learn your legal rights!
As reported by CNN:
The death toll from Aspergillus Meningitis an linked to contaminated steroid injections has risen to seven, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday. The total number of cases has also grown to 64 people in nine states, the CDC said. That is 17 more cases and two more states than the day before.
Patients contracted the deadly meningitis after being injected in their spine with a preservative-free steroid called methylprednisolone acetate that was contaminated by a fungus. The steroid is used to treat pain and inflammation.
The New England Compounding Center, the Massachusetts-based pharmacy that made the contaminated injections, voluntarily recalled three lots of the injected steroid last week.
Health officials say 76 medical facilities in 23 states received the contaminated steroid injections from NECC. A list of the 76 affected medical facilities is on the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html.
The CDC raised the death toll Saturday after two people died in Michigan. Other deaths have been reported in Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia. Tennessee is reporting the most number of overall cases — 29 — which includes three deaths, according to the CDC.
Federal health inspectors began inspecting the NECC plant last Monday. Inspectors found foreign particles in unopened vials, and after testing one of the unopened vials, they determined the substance was a fungus.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Fungal meningitis is very rare and, unlike viral and bacterial meningitis, it is not contagious.
Symptoms of fungal meningitis are similar to symptoms from other forms of meningitis, but they often appear more gradually and can be very mild at first, the CDC says. In addition to typical meningitis symptoms like headache, fever, nausea and stiffness of the neck, people with fungal meningitis may also experience confusion, dizziness and discomfort from bright lights. Patients might just have one or two of these symptoms, the CDC says.
Health officials say any patients who received an injection at one of the facilities beginning July 1 and who began showing symptoms between one and three weeks after being injected should see their doctor right away. The earlier a patient gets treatment, the more likely he or she will survive.
Patients are treated with anti-fungal medication, which is given intravenously so patients have to be admitted to the hospital, the CDC said. Patients may need to be treated for months.
All claims have not been adjudicated and any allegations made are unproven at this time.
McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms nationwide.
Have you or someone you know received a tainted steriod injection? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!