Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nationwide
The recent fungal meningitis outbreak linked to tainted steroid injections has led to more than 400 reports of illnesses and at least 30 deaths in 19 states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Although these dangerous drugs have been recalled, the recall came too late for potentially thousands of innocent consumers nationwide.
If you or a loved one developed fungal meningitis after receiving a steroid injection, the Philadelphia meningitis attorneys at Golomb & Honik may be able to help you and your family recover the financial peace of mind you need to cope with medical expenses and other related damages. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers, and each year we successfully obtain tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for victims of defective medications and other faulty products.
Fungal Meningitis and Contaminated Steroids
Meningitis is an often-fatal inflammation of the membranous tissue that helps protect the brain and spinal cord. Although some forms of meningitis are contagious and stem from viral or bacterial infection, the fungal meningitis associated with injectable steroids is noncontagious and is caused by contaminated medication.
The incubation period for fungal meningitis is typically about one month, but it may be as long as three months. Many meningitis victims did not begin exhibiting symptoms until well after the Oct. 9, 2012, recall of steroids produced by the New England Compounding Center, which has since suspended operations as federal investigators look into how the steroids became tainted.
The New England Compounding Center is a compounding pharmacy, which blends medications that would not otherwise be available in combination.
Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Altered mental status
States with Meningitis Cases Tied to Steroids
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New England Compounding Center shipped more than 17,000 single doses of possibly contaminated steroids to 76 medical facilities in 23 states between July and September 2012.
As of November, at least 420 cases of fungal meningitis linked to tainted steroids had been reported in the following states:
- · Florida
- · Georgia
- · Idaho
- · Illinois
- · Indiana
- · Maryland
- · Michigan
- · Minnesota
- · New Hampshire
- · New Jersey
- · New York
- · North Carolina
- · Ohio
- · Pennsylvania
- · Rhode Island
- · South Carolina
- · Tennessee
- · Texas
- · Virginia
If you became ill or a family member died after being administered a contaminated steroid injection, the meningitis attorneys at Golomb & Honik may be able to help you seek financial compensation through a product liability lawsuit.
Please contact Golomb & Honik online or call 800-355-3300 for your free case consultation if you or a family member developed meningitis following a steroid injection. We are proud to represent meningitis victims and their families from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and nationwide.
