TN Files $10M Claim Following Patient Deaths in Meningitis Case

By Staff Writer

Tennessee officials have filed a $10 million claim in the bankruptcy case of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a Massachusetts drug compounding firm, for the deaths of 16 patients who received fungal meningitis caused by tainted spinal steroids, according to The Tennessean.

The claim was filed this week in Boston’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court following an agreement to provide a fund of up to $100 million to pay creditors and victims with contributions from the owners of NECC, insurance companies and other parties.

A bankruptcy court judge set a Jan. 15 deadline for victims to file claims.

Between approximately May and September, 2012, the NECC distributed three lots of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) to approximately 76 out-patient surgery centers in 20 different states, according to the FBI.

Since the contaminated steroids were first discovered, 751 people in 20 states have developed fungal meningitis or other infections. A total of 64 people have died. Tennessee, Indiana and Michigan were the hardest-hit states.

Federal inspectors found many contaminants at the company’s Framingham plant, including dirty equipment, mold, standing water, and water droplets.

The company did not perform enough tests before shipping drugs to medical facilities and sent drugs in bulk quantities instead of individual patient prescriptions, according to regulators.

The company forfeited its license, shut down permanently, and filed for bankruptcy protection after being inundated with hundreds of victim lawsuits.

The tainted methylprednisolone acetate, which as you may recall, was the same chemical responsible for the meningitis outbreak last year. There was also a 2012 meningitis outbreak caused by a tainted steroid that affected an estimated 125 Tennessee citizens, 9 of whom died from the disease.

For those who are suffering from meningitis caused by a contaminated drug, see your physician immediately and then contact defective medicine attorneys at Gilreath & Associates. We are here to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today.

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