Over 300 former patients of the Michigan Pain Specialists Clinic that were infected in the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak will be sharing a $10.5 million settlement. Each individual will be receiving compensation based upon a formula established in the earlier $210 million settlement involving the now-closed New England Compounding Center of Framington, Massachusetts, where the steroid solutions were mixed before being shipped to clinics across the country.
Although the outbreak affected more than 750 people in 20 different states and caused 64 deaths, there were 264 cases and 19 deaths reported in Michigan alone. The contaminated steroid solution was used to treat back pain at Michigan Pain Specialists. Throughout the two year court proceedings, patients have expressed concerns about when they would receive payment since their medical costs are depleting their life savings. They are also concerned about whether they will face future health issues as a result of their infections.
It currently remains uncertain when they will receive the settlement payments due to liens filed by the federal government. Attorney Marc Lipton of Southfield Michigan who represented the patients expressed hope that the money would be distributed before the end of 2016. Attorneys representing the clinic raised no objections to any aspect of the settlement, they all believe it is a fair settlement for all that have been affected.