Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Continues to Spread

The number of victims affected by steroid injections contaminated with fungal meningitis continues to grow by the day, and already two death cases have been confirmed right here in Central Florida. The law firm of Colling Gilbert Wright is already representing clients affected by this tragic event, and we recommend that anyone who has received one or more of these contaminated injections contact an attorney immediately, whether they have become ill with meningitis or not.

The company that apparently distributed this tainted batch of steroids across the nation is a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy called the New England Compounding Center. Compounding pharmacies are not regulated by the FDA, and that lack of regulation is beginning to look like a tragic mistake. Especially in light of the fact that the New England Compounding Center confidentially settled a lawsuit five years ago, stemming from the death in 2004 of a man who received a tainted injection and contracted bacterial meningitis. No government action was taken at that time, and unfortunately we are now dealing with a much more widespread outbreak of fungal meningitis, which is an even more deadly form of the disease.

We know that pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers are regulated by the FDA, and this has still not stopped the injury, sickness and death that sometimes occur as side effects of those regulated products. However, some oversight in such life-and-death matters is certainly better than none, and we believe that this tragic nationwide outbreak of deadly disease is proof that compounding pharmacies need to be regulated by the federal government. The current lack of oversight could certainly have contributed to what seems to have happened here: a compounding pharmacy that overstepped its bounds and began acting as an unregulated pharmaceutical manufacturer, with tragic consequences.

Do not take a “wait and see” approach to seeking legal counsel, if you or a loved one received one of these tainted steroid injections. Sitting at home wondering if and when illness will strike, watching the nightly news with a sense of dread, undergoing spinal taps and other invasive and risky medical tests; these are all real damages which we believe deserve compensation, and the negligence of a single company appears to be at fault. Call our experienced, compassionate attorneys immediately, or contact us on the web at www.thefloridafirm.com . We would be happy to arrange a free consultation to discuss your potential claims.