BOSTON (AP) — A bankruptcy judge has approved a $200 million plan to compensate victims of a 2012 meningitis outbreak that hit several states including Tennessee — caused by a now-closed Massachusetts pharmacy.
The money will be available to compensate the New England Compounding Center's creditors and people who became ill or died as the result of receiving tainted steroid injections. The plan was approved Tuesday by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge.
The fungal meningitis outbreak killed 64 people and sickened more than 750 others in 20 states, hitting Michigan, Tennessee and Indiana the hardest. Victims suffered inflamed linings of their brains or spinal cords or other infections.
Lawyers expect victims should begin receiving payments this year. The plan comes as the center's founders, majority shareholder and several other former employees face federal racketeering charges.