Many throughout the nation, including residents of the Pittsburgh area, are enraged over the spread of Hepatitis C to multiple victims by a lab technician who apparently had a drug problem. At Exeter Hospital alone, the number of patients definitely known to have contracted the same strain is at 32. While there are more from hospitals located elsewhere in the country, it is possible that the number of patients infected by the man at Exeter Hospital is even higher.

Both the hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed the 32 cases. In addition, they have excluded an additional 48 from the group. There are some former patients however who though tests indicate had the infection, no longer have an active version of the virus in their system. Without the virus being active, it is impossible to determine which strain they had acquired.

While it is of course good news that some individuals have successfully rid their bodies of the often very harmful disease, they are not afforded the same legal rights as those in whom the virus is still active. Many of those 32 patients, who tests indicate are known to have contracted the disease from the former lab technician, have filed medical malpractice lawsuits against the hospital that formerly employed the man, as well as several temporary staffing agencies which had a role in placing him at the hospitals.

If successful, those who filed the lawsuits would likely greatly benefit from the filings. Because they could face complications due to the disease for years to come, the monetary compensation could come in handy.

Source: Sea Coast Online, "More hep C cases may be linked to infector," Aaron Sanborn, March 3, 2013