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Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 9:47 AM UTC

Dozens sue pharmacy, but compensation uncertain

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Topics: From the Wires,

Dozens sue pharmacy, but compensation uncertainIn this Nov. 21, 2012, photo, attorney, Mark Chalos, right, sits with Melanie Norwood, rear left, as they talk about the condition of Norwood's mother, Marjorie Norwood, in Nashville, Tenn. Marjorie Norwood, 59, became sick with fungal meningitis after getting steroid shots produced by the New England Compounding Center. Federal lawsuits in five states have been filed against the New England Compounding Center by patients who received shots of steroid medication produced by the pharmacy and more are being filed in state courts every day. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)(Credit: AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dennis O’Brien rubs his head as he details ailments triggered by the fungal meningitis he developed after a series of steroid shots in his neck: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, exhaustion and trouble with his speech and attention.

He estimates the disease has cost him and his wife thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses and her lost wages, including time spent on 6-hour round trip weekly visits to the hospital. They’ve filed a lawsuit seeking $4 million in damages from the Massachusetts pharmacy that supplied the steroid injections, but it could take years for them to get any money back and they may never get enough to cover their expenses.

His is one of at least 50 federal lawsuits in nine states that have been filed against NECC.

By Kristin M. Hall

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