Meningitis Lawyers Helping Steroid Injection Victims in Florida

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently involved in a multi-state investigation into patients contracting fungal meningitis from a steroid injection. The contaminated steroids were sold and used nationwide with distribution in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects related to the contaminated steroid injections, contact meningitis lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. for a free consultation.

Steroid Injections Recalled for Meningitis Outbreak

Hundreds of people have been exposed to fungal meningitis related to contaminated epidural steroid injections packaged and distributed by the New England Compounding Center located in Massachusetts, according to the FDA. The recalled steroid injections have been linked to the meningitis outbreak across the United States. According to the recall, patients who have been exposed to the steroid medication methylprednisolone acetate are at risk for serious health complications. In addition to the methylprednisolone all products, including but not limited to an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution.

There have been 212 cases of fungal meningitis, including 15 deaths in the U.S as of October 15, 2012. There have been 12 people in Florida that have contracted fungal meningitis thus far. According to the Huffington Post, up to 14,000 people could have received the injections in 23 states.

What is Fungal Meningitis?

Meningitis is a severe, life-threatening infection. Meningitis causes the inflammation of the protective membranes and tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. Menginitis is often contagious and may cause brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing loss, or even loss of life. Fungal meningitis, however, is not contagious. Fungal meningitis occurs when it is introduced in a needle insert site or a wound. As the fungal meningitis develops, the fungus spreads through the bloodstream from the injectionsite of the contaminated steroids, and into the central nervous system.

Fungal Meningitis Symptoms

The fungus Aspergillus, a non-contagious kind of meningitis, has only been found in one patient as of October 10, 2012. Florida residents who have received an epidural steroid injection in the back, ankles, knees, shoulders, hips or thumbs may be at serious risk. These steroid injections are commonly administrated to patients with chronic pain and the injections of methlprednisolone acetate help relieve inflammation that causes discomfort.

Some of the most common fungal meningitis symptoms are as follows:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• Photophobia
• Slurred speech
• Increases in pain, swelling, or redness in the area where the injection took place
• Numbness or weakness in any part of the body
• Fever
• Stiff neck
• Altered mental state

Contact Meningitis Lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. at 1-888-BURNETTI

Florida residents living in the Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando areas may be compensated for injuries caused by the product contaminated with the fungus or bacteria. Contact meningitis lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. today to find out how you may be compensated for medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost wages. Call 1-888-BURNETTI or fill out a free case evaluation form.

Related Information

Oct. 6, 2012 – FDA Recall http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm322901.htm

Oct. 22, 2012 – FDA Update on Recall http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm322734.htm

October 23, 2012 – FoxNews.com Reports “Four weeks after the recall of tainted steroids amid a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak, it remains unclear how widespread the problem is.”

Oct 23, 2012 – NBCNews.com Reports “Fungal meningitis toll tops 300; still 23 dead.”