New proposed settlement in deadly meningitis outbreak would increase victim fund to $135M

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.

A judge must still approve the plan.