Dozens Of Bacterial Infection Cases Among Patients Of NJ Pain Center Remind Trial Lawyer Of Early Stages Of 2012 Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

MT. LAUREL, N.J., March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial attorney Michael F. Barrett, of Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C., says the controversy surrounding the Osteo Relief Institute Jersey Shore stirs memories of the devastating 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak, which directly impacted numerous New Jersey residents. Attorney Barrett, who represented more than 30 patients from that outbreak, believes all patients of Osteo Relief's Wall Township facility should seek other medical opinions regarding their care and also contact, as a precaution, the state's special healthcare hotline
(1-866-448-2432).

"It is concerning whenever one patient contracts septic arthritis following an injection intended to relieve chronic knee pain," says Mr. Barrett, "but when the state reports that more than 30 patients of Osteo Relief contracted septic arthritis, it calls into question the facility's infection control policies and practices and certainly justifies the health department's actions."  He noted that the center reportedly voluntarily closed for a period, sent infection-notification letters to possibly affected patients, and then has apparently reopened.

Mr. Barrett says he is hopeful that the state's intervention will effectively limit the outbreak, unlike what occurred nationally in 2012 when hundreds of the 14,000 patients across 20 states contracted fungal meningitis due to contaminated steroid injections prepared by the New England Compounding Center and administered by health care providers. The tainted shots, some containing mold traced to the manufacturer, were linked to 64 deaths.. Barrett was among the leadership team of trial lawyers that represented the plaintiffs in personal injury claims that resulted in a settlement with the defendants, including 'pain centers', where patients received their injections, of $200 million.

Focusing his national practice on a wide range of cases involving catastrophic medical error and medical device defects, Mr. Barrett is available to discuss this matter and associated legal issues. His office does not presently represent any current or former patients of Osteo Relief Jersey Shore.

SOURCE Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett, & Bendesky, P.C.