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Proposed Fund For Meningitis Victims Upped $35M

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — A proposed fund to compensate victims of a nationwide meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people has been increased by about $35 million.

The outbreak was blamed on a tainted steroid produced by Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Center. It sickened more than 750 people in 20 states.

A court-appointed bankruptcy trustee says a new agreement filed Wednesday calls for a fund of at least $135 million to compensate people who were injured and relatives of those who died. An earlier settlement announced in May called for a more than $100 million fund, including $50 million from the owners of the now-defunct company.

For one victim who asked WBZ-TV to remain anonymous, her life hasn't been the same since the injection in September of 2012.

She says she suffers from constant fatigue, dizziness, and pain. On top of that, the financial burden is weighing heavily on her and her family.

"I'm almost $20,000 in debt from this injection," she said. "We did our part, they didn't  do theirs because something's not right."

A judge must still approve the plan.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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