People nationwide, including North Carolina, who consider stem cell treatment for medical conditions might be wise to heed the warnings of federal regulators. It will not be surprising to see medical malpractice lawsuits filed against facilities where these treatments are performed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that hundreds of clinics across the country offer stem cell treatments.
The FDA says the clinics claim that the injections contain stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood, which has not been approved by the agency. Clinics offer treatment for Parkinson’s disease, eye disorders, lung problems, arthritis and more, professing the yet unproven healing qualities of the stem cells. The FDA determined that some of the treatments that were administered to cancer patients contained combinations of stem cells and smallpox vaccine.
Reportedly, multiple patients were hospitalized after stem cell treatments, three of which became blind after having stem cells injected into their eyes. Others developed infections in their joints or bloodstreams after they received injections in their spines, shoulders and knees to treat arthritis. After determining which microbes gave rise to their infections, authorities tested unopened vials and found them infected with the same fecal matter and E. coli that had caused their infections.
North Carolina patients who were convinced by doctors or clinic owners to undergo stem cell treatment without being fully informed about the procedure and the potential complications might have grounds to take legal action. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can determine the viability of a claim after assessing the circumstances. The lawyer can then advocate for the clients throughout the ensuing legal proceedings.
