90 People Sickened with Meningitis from Tainted Epidural Pain Shots

Jersey City, NJ, October 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- At least 90 people have gotten sick and 4 people killed in an outbreak of meningitis related to tainted epidural steroid pain injections. Health officials report 5 states have victims who sustained illness or death and fear those numbers will increase. Jersey City based Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers has begun reviewing potential legal claims related to this defective product.

It appears that all people affected so far had received steroid injections, mostly for back pain. The steroid administered in these meningitis cases was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts, the New England Compounding Center. That pharmacy issued a recall last week of all its products and has shut down operations. At least one sealed vial of drug has been found to have fungus growing in it, the Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA does not regulate pharmacies like the one in Massachusetts but can be called in when contamination is suspected.

Compounding pharmacies usually make drugs to order, and the steroids suspected of causing the infections did not contain preservatives that can keep fungi and bacteria from growing.

According to Jersey City defective product lawyer Ricky Bagolie, "It appears that the Centers for Disease Control have identified 7 locations in New Jersey received the meningitis tainted steroid epidurals including: Central Jersey Orthopedics Specialists in South Plainfield; Edison Surgical Center in Edison; IF Pain Associates / Isaiah Florence in Teaneck; Premier Orthopedics Surgical Association in Vineland; Comprehensive Pain Management in Sparta and South Jersey Health Care in Elmer and Vineland."

Meningitis is a dangerous inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe and worsening headache, nausea, dizziness and fever. Some patients also experienced slurred speech as well as difficulty walking and urinating. It appears the particular type of meningitis related to the tainted injections is not contagious but is caused by a fungus frequently occurs in leaf mold.

"Anyone who had an epidural shot and are experiencing any if the above symptoms or has recently received an injection from one of the identified facilities should seek medical attention immediately as it is better to error on the side of caution," says Bagolie. "We are accepting cases where the illness started appearing as early as 3 months ago as well as where people are diagnosed over the next several months," he said.

The victims of contaminated epidural shots who have contracted meningitis have legal rights. Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers is ready to answer any questions the public may have related to these potential claims. As always the consultations are free and confidential and there is never a fee if there is no recovery. Contact Ricky Bagolie or Alan Friedman now, toll free at 1-866-333-3LAW (866-333-3529), locally at 201-656-8500 or visit them on the web at http://www.bagoliefriedman.com