Atlanta Meningitis Lawsuit Attorneys

Meningitis and Contaminated Steroid Injections

Drug manufacturers are responsible for producing and distributing safe products to consumers but often make bad decisions that threaten the health of the very people their products are supposed to help. Such is the case with Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Pharmacy, Inc., d.b.a. New England Compounding Center (NECC), which distributed contaminated steroids to medical facilities in various states, including Georgia. Epidural steroid injections with the contaminated steroids have resulted in a nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis.

Meningitis is a potentially fatal infection that may be caused by drug manufacturer negligence, as in this recent epidemic, or by medical malpractice on the part of healthcare professionals. In either circumstance, the experienced Atlanta product liability lawyers at Grant Law Office, can help you hold the at-fault party liable for their actions. To learn more about getting fair compensation for your suffering or the loss of a loved one, call us for a consultation at (404) 995-3955.

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The Contaminated Drug

New England Compounding Center (NECC) is a compounding pharmacy as opposed to a traditional drug manufacturer. It manufactures a wide range of medications and medical products to the specified needs of medical practitioners and facilities. Because it is not a big pharmaceutical company, it is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but by the state.

NECC manufactured and distributed three lots of fungus-contaminated preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80 mg/ml) to facilities in 23 states. The steroid is commonly used in epidural spinal injections to relieve pain. Any patient who has received a spinal steroid injection since May 21, 2012 in any of the facilities listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), may have contracted meningitis. The following facility in Georgia received the potentially tainted steroids:

• Forsyth Street Ambulatory Surgery Center, 1610 Forsyth St., Macon, Georgia 31201 – (478) 749-1610

The FDA has instructed all healthcare providers to retain and secure any and all NECC products, all of which have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer for possible contamination. NECC also voluntarily surrendered their license and ceased all operations.

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What to Look For

As of October 8, 2012, there were 105 reported cases of meningitis, including eight which resulted in death. If you have been treated with steroids at the aforementioned Georgia facility since May 21^st, you may have contracted fungal meningitis, a rare and non-contagious form of the illness. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Fever
• Stiffness of the neck
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Sensitivity/discomfort to bright light

The final three symptoms are specific to fungal meningitis, according to the CDC. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, which are usually mild and manifest one to four weeks from infection, you should still see a doctor right away if you've been treated with potentially contaminated steroids at the Georgia facility. If not treated quickly, fungal meningitis may result in stroke and death.

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Holding Negligent Drug Manufacturers Liable in Atlanta

No one should have to worry about contracting a potentially fatal infection when being treated for ailments with medication or by medical professionals. If you have contracted meningitis because of a contaminated steroid injection, the experienced Georgia personal injury lawyers at Grant Law Office, can help. To speak to one of our attorneys about your potential case, call us at (404) 995-3955.

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Additional Information

• Steroid Fungal Meningitis Cases Will Be Consolidated
• Meningitis-Contaminated Steroid Injections in Georgia and Across Nation Cause Illnesses, Deaths