Epidural Steroid Contamination Lawsuit

Phillips Law Group is investigating possible claims for patients that have received an epidural steroid injection since May 21, 2012. A fungal meningitis outbreak has occurred across the country, there have been 386 cases including 28 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public health officials are conducting a multistate investigation in regard to the serious health risk present in fungal meningitis being found across the nation.

Typically, epidural steroid injections are given to treat back and serious joint pain. The meningitis outbreak has been linked to tainted steroid injections that were shipped from the New England Compounding Company in Framingham, Mass. In September 2012, the compound pharmacy issued a recall for the following medications:

• 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

In October 2012, the company issued a recall on all products that were compounded within the facility. Patients that have received an epidural steroid injection in the last 5 months may be at risk for developing fungal meningitis.

The tainted steroid injections were sent to 75 facilities in 23 states. The CDC estimates that approximately 13,000 people across the country have been exposed to this medication. The fungus in the steroid injections have been linked to the development of fungal meningitis in patients that received the injections.

If you or a family member has developed fungal meningitis from a tainted medication, contact Phillips Law Group today. After hearing about the details of your illness, our attorneys will advise you on the best course of action to pursue.

For additional information about legal claims regarding the meningitis outbreak, fill out the Free Case Review form on this page.

Symptoms of Fungal Meningitis

Patients that have received an epidural steroid injection in the past 5 months should contact their physician immediately. The CDC has instructed medical facilities to contact all patients that have received a steroid injection that was shipped from the New England Compounding Company.

While the recall has removed the medications from facilities, it has been estimated that over 17,000 doses of these steroids have been given to patients throughout the U.S. Listed below are some common symptoms of fungal meningitis:

• Fever
• Severe headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Dizziness
• Altered mental state
• Photophobia
• Slurred speech
• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site

If you have received a steroid injection and experience any of the symptoms above, you should seek medical attention immediately. Patients should be aware that it sometimes takes 1 to 4 weeks before fungal meningitis symptoms appear after exposure.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

As the meningitis outbreak continues to spread, more and more patients are seeking medical attention after developing symptoms. If you or a loved one has become ill after receiving a tainted steroid injection, contact Phillips Law Group today. The law firm has the knowledge and resources to successfully handle dangerous drug cases.

To schedule a legal consultation, complete the contact form on this page.