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Santa Barbara Meningitis Lawyers

Meningitis from Contaminated Steroid Injections in California

As of October 12, 2012, 185 cases of fungal meningitis and 14 deaths have been linked to contaminated steroid shots manufactured by the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The potentially tainted steroid injections were distributed to 76 facilities in 23 states. Eleven of those states have reported cases of meningitis and six of those states have reported deaths. This strain of fungal meningitis is not contagious and it is not used in epidural spine injections given to pregnant women. The steroid shots were given to patients to treat pain and inflammation in the back, ankle, and knee.

The Santa Barbara meningitis steroid shot attorneys at NordstrandBlack PC are dedicated to protecting the rights of those harmed by contaminated or defective medications. For a free consultation and to learn more about your options for pursuing compensation from negligent drug manufacturers, please call (866) 298-2041 today.

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Facilities in CA Potentially Exposed to Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising any patient who has received a steroid shot at any of the below facilities in California to seek medical attention immediately. It takes one to four weeks for fungal meningitis symptoms to develop. Both longer and shorter periods of time between injection and the development of symptoms have been reported. Potentially contaminated shots were administered as early as May 21, 2012.

Facilities in California that may have received the defective steroid shots linked to the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak include the following:

  • Encino Outpatient Surgery Center – Encino, CA (818) 986-1037
  • Cypress Surgery Center, DBA – Visalia, CA (559) 740-4094
  • Ukiah Valley Medical Center – Ukiah, CA (707) 463-7345
  • Universal Pain Management – Palmdale, CA (661) 267-6876 x166

The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently conducting a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis in patients who have been given a potentially tainted epidural steroid injection.

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Fungal Meningitis & Its Symptoms

Fungal meningitis is caused by a fungus infecting the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord after entering the blood stream and reaching the spinal cord.

Common symptoms of fungal meningitis include headache, fever, nausea, stiffness of the neck, confusion, dizziness, and discomfort from bright lights. Patients may have just one or two of these symptoms. Some patients have suffered strokes that are believed to have been caused from the fungal infection.

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The Recalls

Three lots of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) used in the steroid shots manufactured and distributed by the NECC were recalled on September 26, 2012. As a precaution, on October 6, 2012, the NECC recalled all products currently in circulation. The NECC has also voluntarily surrendered its license and ceased all operations.

Nearly 14,000 patients have been given the potentially contaminated injections of pain medicine.

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Upholding Justice, Protecting Your Rights

Drug manufacturers have the important responsibility of creating, testing, and distributing products that are safe and free of any contamination or defect that could cause consumers to suffer injury, illness, or death. However, due to various forms of oversight and negligence, this isn’t always the case.

If you or someone you care about has suffered fungal meningitis due to exposure to the tainted steroid shots, you have the legal right to pursue money from negligent parties. Santa Barbara product liability attorney Renée J. Nordstrand-Black of NordstrandBlack PC has been protecting the rights of personal injury victims for years and has the experience to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Please contact our office for more information and a free consultation.

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Additional Information