Meningitis Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently heading a multistate investigation in regard to fungal meningitis found in patients who have received an epidural steroid injection. The CDC has been working with public health departments across the country during this multistate investigation of a potentially contaminated steroid medication.

Patients who have been exposed to the steroid medication methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) are at risk for serious health complications. The New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. is responsible for the preparation of this recalled product. As of September 25, 2012, the company recalled the following products:

• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012
• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012
• Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013

However, an update to the recall on October 6, 2012 stated that all products that were compounded in the New England Compounding Center are to be recalled. On October 10, 2012 the CDC gave confirmation that the fungus Exserohilum was found in 10 people with meningitis. In addition, the fungus Aspergillus was found in only one patient with meningitis. While this kind of meningitis is not contagious to others, Florida residents who have received an epidural steroid injection are at serious risk.

As health inspectors continue to investigate the outbreak, the case count of meningitis remains on the rise. Meningitis begins with the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Severe Headache
• Dizziness
• Photophobia
• Vomiting
• Slurred Speech
• Numbness or Weakness in any part of the body
• Increases in swelling, pain, or redness in the area where injection took place
• Altered Mental State
• Stiff Neck
• Fever

If you or a loved one has received an epidural steroid injection recently, you may be at risk for meningitis or a resulting stroke. The above symptoms generally begin within 1 to 4 weeks following an injection, although these numbers may vary dependent on individual patients’ reactions.

Patients who feel even slightly sick after a steroid injection must seek immediate medical attention. Clinicians are in the process of contacting patients who have received any of the three dangerous lots of steroid injections. Patients who have received these shots starting on May 21, 2012 are at risk of fungal meningitis.

Florida is one of the current 11 states affected by the meningitis outbreak. Currently, the death count has reached 14 and the case count has reached 170, these numbers are expected to rise. If you or a loved one has felt any fungal meningitis symptoms, you may be entitled to compensation.

Gordon & Partners has years of experience in class action law. We believe that when a person is exposed to an unsafe product or medication, such as the epidural steroid injection of methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml), the makers must be held accountable.

For more information, please complete a Free Case Evaluation today.

At Risk Healthcare Facilities

As one of the 11 states impacted by this fungal meningitis outbreak, Florida physicians are currently making phone calls and visits to patients who have been given an epidural steroid injection since May 21, 2012. The New England Compounding Center has recalled the medication which was distributed to the following healthcare facilities in Florida:

• Florida Pain Clinic
• Interventional Rehab Center
• Marion Pain Management Center
• North County Surgicenter
• Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery
• Pain Consultants of West Florida
• Surgery Center of Ocala
• Surgical Park Center

If you have received an epidural steroid injection to treat any kind of pain within the last 5 months, you may be at risk of contracting fungal meningitis. Contact the law offices of Gordon & Partners to learn about potential compensation.

What Should Patients Do?

Fungal meningitis is commonly transmitted after taking certain medications, like steroids, that weaken the immune system. If you believe that you may have received this recalled injection, you must contact a physician immediately. While clinicians have been instructed to contact all patients who have received these steroids, Florida patients who believe that they may be at risk should contact a doctor immediately.

Due to the fact that some symptoms can take up to 4 weeks or longer to appear, patients are advised to seek medical care as soon as possible. As the infection gradually develops, these symptoms will slowly worsen, causing the patient to become ill. For this reason, both doctors and patients must monitor symptoms and related health issues for several months following an epidural steroid injection.

Contact a Lawyer Today

Gordon & Partners has achieved millions of reward dollars for victims in class action lawsuit s. With over 180 combined years of experience in personal injury and litigation, our staff is prepared to assist you today. Our personal injury lawyer s have helped Florida residents from all across the state receive compensation for their injuries. We believe that the makers of faulty medication must be held liable for the damages that they cause personal injury victims.

To learn more about your options, please complete a Free Case Evaluation today.