Patients Lose in Michigan Trial over 2012 Meningitis Outbreak

A jury says doctors at a northern Michigan clinic weren’t negligent in using tainted steroids that were part of a national meningitis outbreak.

More than 100 patients sued doctors and the clinic, Neuromuscular & Rehabilitation Associates in Traverse City. The Traverse City Record-Eagle says a jury ruled in favor of the doctors and the clinic on Nov. 5 after a civil trial.

Their attorneys said the doctors relied on drug regulators and had no reason to believe steroids from a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy were tainted.

Dave Novak of Interlochen, whose died wife in 2013, says the verdict was disappointing. But he found the trial to be rewarding because he was able to connect with other victims.

Phyllis Briggs was a patient who testified. She says the verdict left many feeling “very flat.”