Tennessee Meningitis Patient Sues Massachusetts Pharmacy

A Hendersonville, Tenn. woman sickened by fungal meningitis after receiving a steroid injection for back pain is suing the pharmacy that supplied the drug.

Janet Russell and her husband, Robert Russell, sued the New England Compounding Center for $15 million. The suit filed in Davidson County Circuit Court claims the pharmacy allowed the steroid to be contaminated by fungi through negligence.

According to the suit, the resulting injuries to Janet Russell have caused her to suffer a stroke, disfigurement and permanent disability.

A company spokesman, in an email, said the company had no comment on the suit.

As of Oct. 16, fungal meningitis had sickened 212 people in 15 states and taken 15 lives, including six in Tennessee.