Patients Lose Civil Trial Related To '12 Meningitis Outbreak

TRAVERSE CITY (WWJ/AP) - 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. A jury ruled in favor of the doctors and the clinic Thursday after a civil trial, The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

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

[Michigan Reports 239 Infections Linked To Steroids]

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."

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