The presence of Hepatitis C virus n the liver triggers the human immune system, which leads to inflammation. Over time (usually decades), prolonged inflammation may cause scarring. Extensive scarring in the liver is called cirrhosis. When the liver becomes cirrhotic, it fails to perform its normal functions, (liver failure), and this leads to serious complications and even death. Cirrhotic livers also are more prone to become cancerous.

Hep C is spread (transmitted) most efficiently through exposure to infected blood.

• The most common route of transmission is needles shared among users of illicit drugs.
• Accidental needle-sticks in health care workers also have transmitted the virus. The average risk of getting Hep C infection from a stick with a contaminated needle is 1.8% (range 0% to 10%)
• Prior to 1992, some people acquired the Hepatitis C infection from transfusions of blood or blood products. Since 1992, all blood products have been screened for Hep C and cases of Hep C due to blood transfusion now are extremely rare.
• Hepatitis C infection also can be passed from mother to unborn child. Approximately 4 of every 100 infants born to Hep C-infected mothers become infected with the virus.
• A small number of cases are transmitted through sexual intercourse. The risk of transmission of Hep C from an infected individual to a non-infected spouse or sexual partner without the use of condoms over a lifetime has been estimated to be between 1% and 4%.
• Finally, there have been some outbreaks of Hep C  when instruments or exposed to blood have been re-used without appropriate cleaning between patients.

Transmission of Hep C virus can be prevented in several ways.

• Prevention programs have been aimed at avoiding needle sharing among drug addicts. Needle exchange programs and educational interventions have reduced transmission of Hepatitis C virus infection. However, the population of drug addicts is a difficult population to reach, and rates of HCV remain high among addicts (30% of younger users).
• Among healthcare workers, safe needle-usage techniques have been developed to reduce accidental needle-sticks. Newer syringes have self-capping needle systems that avoid the need to manually replace a cap after drawing blood and reduce the risk of needle-sticks.
• There is no clear way to prevent transmission of the HCV from mother to child.
• Persons with multiple sexual partners should use barrier precautions such as condoms to limit the risk of HCV as well as other sexually-transmitted diseases.
• If one partner is infected, monogamous couples should consider the low risk of transmission of HCV infection when deciding whether to use condoms during intercourse. Some couples may decide to use them and some may not.
• Screening tests for blood products have almost eliminated the risk of transmission of Hepatitis C virus infection through transfusion, estimated by the CDC to be less than one in two million transfused blood products.
• People with Hep C infection should not share razors or toothbrushes with others.
• It is critical that physicians and clinics follow manufacturer’s directions for sterilizing/cleaning instruments and that disposable instruments be discarded properly.

It is important to realize that Hep C is not spread by casual contact. Thus, shaking hands, kissing, and hugging are not behaviors that increase the risk of transmission. There is no need to use special isolation procedures when dealing with infected patients.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog

McGrath Law Firm has begun an investigation and plans to bring claims against Houston Medical Center in regard to the employment of a lab technician who has been charged with infecting patients with hepatitis C when he worked at similar facilities.
David Kwiatkowski has already been charged in N.H. for contaminating supplies with the virus used in intravenous care.  The defendant allegedly injected himself with pain medicine and then let the contaminated syringes be reused on unsuspecting patients.  Kwiatkowski is also a former technician at Houston Medical Center.

According to news reports, the defendant was informed that he had been infected with hepatitis C in June 2010.  He worked at Houston Medical Center from October 2010, to March, 2011.  In addition, he worked in at least 7 other states since 2007.

Many  patients from Houston Medical Center are being told that they were possibly exposed to the deadly virus.  All of the victims have a claim, whether or not they test positive for Hepatitis C.  The former patients who receive a phone call telling them that they need to be tested will suffer pain, stress and anxiety from the fear of having the disease.

People who test positive obviously have a case.  But there are a lot of people who minimize the impact and severity of the issues surrounding the people who test negative after they were told they may have been exposed to the virus.  There is a 6-month waiting period to confirm a negative diagnosis, so I can’t emphasize enough that all of these people have a case for emotional distress, whether or not they test positive.  During that 6-month waiting period, these victims have to essentially live their lives as if they are infected with hepatitis C.  And to make matters worse, many of these people will be told they should be tested for AIDS because apparently people with hepatitis C are at a higher risk of also having AIDS.

McGrath Law Firm has already handled these claims in N.H. and is uniquely positioned to spearhead the claims against Houston Medical Center.  The firm has already successfully attained medical treatment for its clients in N.H.

Hospital labs are required to administer proper care, oversight, security and control in its laboratories. The hospital must maintain strict procedures to protect patients from infections and avoid transmission of the disease.

Upon information and belief, the security procedures, treatment requirements, and oversight required did not take place at Houston Medical Center.  In addition, we believe the possible exposure was caused by negligent supervision of a hospital employee and should have been prevented by the hospital.

McGrath Law Firm has unique medical malpractice experience.  Attorney Peter McGrath is a former federal prosecutor.  McGrath Law Firm has offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and is affiliated with local counsel in Georgia, as well as law firms nationwide.

*All claims have not been adjudicated and any allegations made are unproven at this time.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog

McGrath Law Firm announces action against Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, G.A., for exposure to hepatitis C.  The Houston Medical Center is going to begin notifying former Houston Medical Center patients that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C.
McGrath Law Firm has begun an investigation and plans to bring claims against Houston Medical Center in regard to the employment of a lab technician who has been charged with infecting patients with hepatitis C when he worked at similar facilities.

According to former federal prosecutor Peter McGrath, who is spearheading legal actions against Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire based on the same situation, David Kwiatkowski has already been charged in N.H. for contaminating supplies with the virus used in intravenous care.  The defendant allegedly injected himself with pain medicine and then let the contaminated syringes be reused on unsuspecting patients.  Kwiatkowski is also a former technician at Houston Medical Center.

According to news reports, the defendant was informed that he had been infected with hepatitis C in June 2010.  He worked at Houston Medical Center from October 2010, to March, 2011.

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks and inflames the liver. People infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have differing symptoms.  Hepatitis C is generally considered to be one of the most serious of the hepatitis viruses.  It is contracted through contact with contaminated blood.  A hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant complications, such as scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis), liver cancer and liver failure.

Many  patients from Houston Medical Center are being told that they were possibly exposed to the deadly virus.  All of the victims have a claim, whether or not they test positive for Hepatitis C.  The former patients who receive a phone call telling them that they need to be tested will suffer pain, stress and anxiety from the fear of having the disease.

People who test positive obviously have a case.  But there are a lot of people who minimize the impact and severity of the issues surrounding the people who test negative after they were told they may have been exposed to the virus.  There is a 6-month waiting period to confirm a negative diagnosis, so I can’t emphasize enough that all of these people have a case for emotional distress, whether or not they test positive.  During that 6-month waiting period, these victims have to essentially live their lives as if they are infected with hepatitis C.  And to make matters worse, many of these people will be told they should be tested for AIDS because apparently people with hepatitis C are at a higher risk of also having AIDS.

McGrath Law Firm has already handled these claims in N.H. and is uniquely positioned to spearhead the claims against Houston Medical Center.  The firm has already successfully attained medical treatment for its clients in N.H.

Hospital labs are required to administer proper care, oversight, security and control in its laboratories. The hospital must maintain strict procedures to protect patients from infections and avoid transmission of the disease.

Upon information and belief, the security procedures, treatment requirements, and oversight required did not take place at Houston Medical Center.  In addition, we believe the possible exposure was caused by negligent supervision of a hospital employee and should have been prevented by the hospital.

McGrath Law Firm has unique medical malpractice experience.  Attorney Peter McGrath is a former federal prosecutor.  McGrath Law Firm has offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and is affiliated with local counsel in Georgia, as well as law firms nationwide.

*All claims have not been adjudicated and any allegations made are unproven at this time.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog

McGrath Law Firm announces action against Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, G.A., for exposure to hepatitis C.  The Houston Medical Center is going to begin notifying former Houston Medical Center patients that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C.
McGrath Law Firm has begun an investigation and plans to bring claims against Houston Medical Center in regard to the employment of a lab technician who has been charged with infecting patients with hepatitis C when he worked at similar facilities.

According to former federal prosecutor Peter McGrath, who is spearheading legal actions against Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire based on the same situation, David Kwiatkowski has already been charged in N.H. for contaminating supplies with the virus used in intravenous care.  The defendant allegedly injected himself with pain medicine and then let the contaminated syringes be reused on unsuspecting patients.  Kwiatkowski is also a former technician at Houston Medical Center.

According to news reports, the defendant was informed that he had been infected with hepatitis C in June 2010.  He worked at Houston Medical Center from October 2010, to March, 2011.

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks and inflames the liver. People infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have differing symptoms.  Hepatitis C is generally considered to be one of the most serious of the hepatitis viruses.  It is contracted through contact with contaminated blood.  A hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant complications, such as scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis), liver cancer and liver failure.

Many  patients from Houston Medical Center are being told that they were possibly exposed to the deadly virus.  All of the victims have a claim, whether or not they test positive for Hepatitis C.  The former patients who receive a phone call telling them that they need to be tested will suffer pain, stress and anxiety from the fear of having the disease.

People who test positive obviously have a case.  But there are a lot of people who minimize the impact and severity of the issues surrounding the people who test negative after they were told they may have been exposed to the virus.  There is a 6-month waiting period to confirm a negative diagnosis, so I can’t emphasize enough that all of these people have a case for emotional distress, whether or not they test positive.  During that 6-month waiting period, these victims have to essentially live their lives as if they are infected with hepatitis C.  And to make matters worse, many of these people will be told they should be tested for AIDS because apparently people with hepatitis C are at a higher risk of also having AIDS.

McGrath Law Firm has already handled these claims in N.H. and is uniquely positioned to spearhead the claims against Houston Medical Center.  The firm has already successfully attained medical treatment for its clients in N.H.

Hospital labs are required to administer proper care, oversight, security and control in its laboratories. The hospital must maintain strict procedures to protect patients from infections and avoid transmission of the disease.

Upon information and belief, the security procedures, treatment requirements, and oversight required did not take place at Houston Medical Center.  In addition, we believe the possible exposure was caused by negligent supervision of a hospital employee and should have been prevented by the hospital.

McGrath Law Firm has unique medical malpractice experience.  Attorney Peter McGrath is a former federal prosecutor.  McGrath Law Firm has offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and is affiliated with local counsel in Georgia, as well as law firms nationwide.

*All claims have not been adjudicated and any allegations made are unproven at this time.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog

Late breaking news reported by WMUR:
State health officials said Thursday they are delaying hepatitis C testing clinics that were scheduled to  be held this weekend.

The Department of Health and Human Services said it concluded that it didn’t have time to pull together the clinics.

“Our first priority is and always has been the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said Nicholas Toumpas, DHHS commissioner. “These clinics are a tremendous undertaking involving hundreds of people, and to ensure the best and safest experience for the patients coming for testing, the decision was made to delay.”

The clinics were planned following the announcement that DHHS was expanding the testing recommendations related to a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital. Investigators said a former employee was responsible for spreading the blood-borne virus by using syringes intended for patients.

DHHS said patients who were treated in the main inpatient operating rooms or the intensive care unit from April 1, 2011, to May 25, 2012, should be tested. According to the hospital, that represents about 3,400 patients.

Although the testing clinics have been delayed, DHHS still plans to hold a public meeting tonight at Exeter High School.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms in Kansas and nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog

Late breaking news reported by WMUR:
 

State health officials said Thursday they are delaying hepatitis C testing clinics that were scheduled to  be held this weekend.

The Department of Health and Human Services said it concluded that it didn’t have time to pull together the clinics.

“Our first priority is and always has been the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said Nicholas Toumpas, DHHS commissioner. “These clinics are a tremendous undertaking involving hundreds of people, and to ensure the best and safest experience for the patients coming for testing, the decision was made to delay.”

The clinics were planned following the announcement that DHHS was expanding the testing recommendations related to a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital. Investigators said a former employee was responsible for spreading the blood-borne virus by using syringes intended for patients.

DHHS said patients who were treated in the main inpatient operating rooms or the intensive care unit from April 1, 2011, to May 25, 2012, should be tested. According to the hospital, that represents about 3,400 patients.

Although the testing clinics have been delayed, DHHS still plans to hold a public meeting tonight at Exeter High School.

McGrath Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, and has affiliations with law firms in Kansas and nationwide.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak? Do you want to know your legal rights? Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (800) 283 1380 or (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn about your legal rights!! We get results!!!

click here for prior blog