Initial Checks Going to Outbreak Victims

By Walter F. Roche Jr.




Initial payments are in the mail for some victims of the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak and a second payment is expected next year.
Interviews with victims and the attorneys representing victims show the payments from a $40 million victims compensation fund are being mailed out this week from the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, which is administering the payment program.
Those familiar with the program said the total payments could range from $25,000 to $50,000.
The funds were allocated to the Massachusetts Attorney General through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, whose Michigan district was especially hard hit by the outbreak which sickened some 778 victims, killing 76 of them.
Bishop issued a statement applauding the efforts by Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey to begin distributing the grants.
"While no dollar amount will ever make these victims whole, I am happy to know that victims are finally getting some much needed additional financial help," Bishop said.
He noted that victims still have until March 1 to file a claim. The original December deadline was extended earlier this year.
The $40 million came from a U.S. Justice Department fund established to reimburse victims of serious crimes.
The president and a supervising pharmacist at the New England Compounding Center have been convicted of racketeering and mail fraud as a result of a federal grand jury probe of the outbreak.
Barry J. Cadden, NECC's president, already is serving a nine year prison term following his March conviction on 57 counts. Chin is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 31.
NECC shipped fungus laden steroids to health providers across the country.
Contact" wfrochejr999@gmail.com