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Spinal Steroid Injection Recall

The attorneys at Levin & Perconti are currently investigating fungal meningitis cases for patients nationwide who received spinal steroid injections made and distributed by the New England Compounding Center. The CDC reported that a number of people throughout the U.S. have become ill or died as a result of this rare fungal meningitis outbreak.

As of December 12, 590 confirmed diagnoses of fungal meningitis, stroke, or infection have been reported in 19 states, and 37 people have died. And now, there are new FDA warnings that the outbreak may be linked to other drugs from the NECC, including drugs used during open-heart surgery and eye surgeries.

Two cases have been reported in the Chicago area, but health officials anticipate more patients who received the recalled products may be diagnosed. It is estimated that 350 people in Illinois received tainted injections.

The steroid, methylprednisolone acetate, was distributed to 23 states from July to September 2012. Now, the company has recalled over 17,000 vials of these steroids and it is believed that 14,000 patients received the tainted injections. To see a current breakdown of cases by state, click here.

According to a press release on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website, three APAC Centers for Pain Management facilities in Illinois provided the spinal steroid shots to patients: Thorek Hospital Professional Building in Chicago, APAC Lincoln Park, and the APAC in the Prairie Medical Building in Westchester, IL. Patients have been contacted and many await further test results.

What are the Symptoms of Fungal Meningitis?

The CDC reports that people who received an epidural steroid injection from May 21 through September 26, 2012 at one of the recipient facilities should seek medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms between one week and one month after receiving the epidural:

  • Numbness
  • Fever
  • Severe headaches
  • Speech problems
  • Changes to the skin or tissue surrounding the site of injection
  • Stiff neck

What Should I do if I Contracted Meningitis From a Spinal Steroid Injection?

If you were injured, or your loved one died after receiving an epidural steroid injection, you should contact our attorneys to discuss your case. Injured victims may be entitled to compensation if they contracted fungal meningitis from the recalled steroid, and families who have lost a loved one may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit for their loss. However, it is important to take action as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Call us today at 312-332-2872 or fill out our contact us form and an experienced Chicago product liability lawyer from our firm will get back to you to discuss your case. You can also leave your contact info and case summary with our website chat operator and one of our lawyers will call you back.

Illinois facilities that received recalled steroid injections from the NECC from CDC.gov on 10/8/2012

  • APAC Centers for Pain Management- Westchester
  • APAC Centers for Pain Management- Chicago
  • Thorek Memorial Hospital- Chicago

To view the full list of facilities throughout the country that received recalled lots of the drug, click here.

Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Updates by State
Symptoms of Fungal Meningitis

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