(January 25, 2008)--Five more patients filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a batch of pre-filled syringes that were contaminated with bacteria.
The five Illinois patients claim they became seriously ill and were hospitalized.
In December, doctors traced numerous infections to heparin-filled syringes used during home treatment for cancer and other ailments.
About 40 people in Illinois and Texas became sick, including 20 outpatients from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The lawsuit was filed against syringe maker and distributor Sierra Pre-Filled.
The company's president, Dushyant Patel, says he did not know about the new lawsuits and couldn't comment.
David Rapaport is the plaintiffs' attorney.
He says more lawsuits are likely.
Federal authorities and the company have recalled all of the syringes.