Malpractice Bills May Impact Meningitis Outbreak Victims

In Michigan, a new set of medical malpractice bills before the state legislature may make recovery of damages difficult for victims and increase immunity for healthcare professionals.

The Daily Press and Argus reports that the bills may even limit the damages sought by the victims of the nationwide meningitis outbreak that has sickened 510 people and resulted in 36 deaths. Supporters of the bill deny any such impact on meningitis suits. Michigan has been one of the state’s hardest hit by the outbreak.

The bills have been awaiting approval by the state’s Senate Insurance Committee for several months.

Contaminated steroid shots mixed at the Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Center (NECC) have been linked to the recent meningitis outbreak by federal health officials.

Michigan law provides immunity to pharmaceutical companies from being sued if the product in question is an FDA-approved. But NECC can likely be sued because compounding pharmacies and their products do not come under the FDA’s oversight.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

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