Kansas Hospital known as Hays Medical Center has disclosed that the same person who infected many Hepatitis C patients in New Hampshire also worked in Kansas. The Medical Center is contacting 500 people that may be exposed to hepatitis C. It is the largest hepatitis C risk ever in Kansas

McGrath LawFirm has a nationwide practice and has filed legal claims concerning hepatitis C cases against the same individual. McGrath Law Firm will be handling claims against Hays Medical Center for the Hepatitis C exposure.

McGrath LawFirm has a nationwide practice and has filed legal claims concerning hepatitis C cases against the same individual. McGrath Law Firm will be handling claims against Hays Medical Center for the Hepatitis C exposure.

Breaking news, as reported by WMUR…
A former employee of Exeter Hospital has been arrested and charged in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis C.

David Kwiatkowski, 33, was charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud and tampering with a consumer product.

Kacavas said Kwiatkowski, a former lab technician, is suspected of stealing Fentanyl, an anesthetic that’s more powerful than morphine. Kwiatkowski is believed to have switched syringes with patients at the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and stolen the drug, Kacavas said.

Kwiatkowski has hepatitis C, and Kacavas said he spread the virus to at least 30 patients. Kwiatkowski is accused of using the syringe containing Fentanyl and then replacing the drug with another liquid and injecting the patient with the syringe.

US Attorney Kacavas said his investigation revealed that Kwiatkowski was involved in a similar incident at a hospital in another state.

Kwiatkowski was arrested at a hospital in Massachusetts, where he is being treated. Kacavas said he will be taken into custody by federal authorities when he is discharged.

Breaking news, as reported by WMUR…
A former employee of Exeter Hospital has been arrested and charged in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis C.

David Kwiatkowski, 33, was charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud and tampering with a consumer product.

Kacavas said Kwiatkowski, a former lab technician, is suspected of stealing Fentanyl, an anesthetic that’s more powerful than morphine. Kwiatkowski is believed to have switched syringes with patients at the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and stolen the drug, Kacavas said.

Kwiatkowski has hepatitis C, and Kacavas said he spread the virus to at least 30 patients. Kwiatkowski is accused of using the syringe containing Fentanyl and then replacing the drug with another liquid and injecting the patient with the syringe.

US Attorney Kacavas said his investigation revealed that Kwiatkowski was involved in a similar incident at a hospital in another state.

Kwiatkowski was arrested at a hospital in Massachusetts, where he is being treated. Kacavas said he will be taken into custody by federal authorities when he is discharged.

 

 

Click here to read previous blog post

As reported by WMUR…
A former employee of Exeter Hospital has been arrested and charged in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis C.

David Kwiatkowski, 33, was charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud and tampering with a consumer product.

Kacavas said Kwiatkowski, a former lab technician, is suspected of stealing Fentanyl, an anesthetic that’s more powerful than morphine. Kwiatkowski is believed to have switched syringes with patients at the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and stolen the drug, Kacavas said.

Kwiatkowski has hepatitis C, and Kacavas said he spread the virus to at least 30 patients. Kwiatkowski is accused of using the syringe containing Fentanyl and then replacing the drug with another liquid and injecting the patient with the syringe.

US Attorney Kacavas said his investigation revealed that Kwiatkowski was involved in a similar incident at a hospital in another state.

Kwiatkowski was arrested at a hospital in Massachusetts, where he is being treated. Kacavas said he will be taken into custody by federal authorities when he is discharged.

McGrath Law Firm would like to emphasize the following points relative to the Hepatitis C class action lawsuit against Exeter Hospital:

• The criminal action from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will help bring about a more rapid resolution to this case.  The federal investigation will devote unlimited resources to the prosecution.
• Peter McGrath is a former federal prosecutor, so he is very familiar with the process….
• 1175 people have been told that they were possibly exposed to the deadly virus.  They are all potential members of the class action.
• The folks who were told that they were negative are suffering pain, stress and anxiety.  To make matters worse, they are now being told they should be tested for AIDS because apparently those with Hepatitis C are at a higher risk of also having  AIDS .
• There are a lot of people who are dismissing the impact and severity of the issues surrounding the people who have initially tested negative.  I can’t emphasize enough that not only do they have a case, but that they are not out of the woods yet.  There is a 6-month waiting period to confirm a negative diagnosis.  So during those 6 months, these victims have to essentially live their lives as if they are infected with Hepatitis C and AIDs.
• All of the victims, including those who tested negative, cannot be intimate with their spouses and have to be careful in day-to-day activities including simples cuts and scrapes to the skin.
• Our clients are being told by their doctors that they should be tested for AIDS
• There are a lot of misunderstandings of class actions on the state level.  In New Hampshire, class actions are governed by N.H. Superior Court Rule and each individual will be compensated individually based on the person’s medical condition, age and other factors.  It is not a “lump sum” of money that his divided up equally between the class, as in federal class actions or out of state matters.
• The final verdict or settlement agreement is calculated for each named individual who is part of the class.  In N.H., each individual who is part of the class gets recognized individually and compensated individually.
• There is no requirement for any victim to join the class action, and the firm can represent victims individually
• McGrath Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience and has handled numerous significant medical malpractice matters.
• Exeter Hospital does not want the victims to join the class action or to have a lawyer, but they need one.

We know class actions are not the choice for everyone. Not only can Attorney McGrath represent you in the class action, but because we are intimately familiar with the details, we can easily represent you individually if that is the route you want to go.  McGrath Law Firm, PA has extensive experience with medical malpractice cases.

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

 

Click here to read previous blog post.

McGrath Law Firm would like to emphasize the following points relative to the Hepatitis C class action lawsuit against Exeter Hospital:

• The criminal action from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will help bring about a more rapid resolution to this case.  The federal investigation will devote unlimited resources to the prosecution.
• Peter McGrath is a former federal prosecutor, so he is very familiar with the process….
• 1175 people have been told that they were possibly exposed to the deadly virus.  They are all potential members of the class action.
• The folks who were told that they were negative are suffering pain, stress and anxiety.  To make matters worse, they are now being told they should be tested for AIDS because apparently those with Hepatitis C are at a higher risk of also having  AIDS .
• There are a lot of people who are dismissing the impact and severity of the issues surrounding the people who have initially tested negative.  I can’t emphasize enough that not only do they have a case, but that they are not out of the woods yet.  There is a 6-month waiting period to confirm a negative diagnosis.  So during those 6 months, these victims have to essentially live their lives as if they are infected with Hepatitis C and AIDs.
• All of the victims, including those who tested negative, cannot be intimate with their spouses and have to be careful in day-to-day activities including simples cuts and scrapes to the skin.
• Our clients are being told by their doctors that they should be tested for AIDS
• There are a lot of misunderstandings of class actions on the state level.  In New Hampshire, class actions are governed by N.H. Superior Court Rule and each individual will be compensated individually based on the person’s medical condition, age and other factors.  It is not a “lump sum” of money that his divided up equally between the class, as in federal class actions or out of state matters.
• The final verdict or settlement agreement is calculated for each named individual who is part of the class.  In N.H., each individual who is part of the class gets recognized individually and compensated individually.
• There is no requirement for any victim to join the class action, and the firm can represent victims individually
• McGrath Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience and has handled numerous significant medical malpractice matters.
• Exeter Hospital does not want the victims to join the class action or to have a lawyer, but they need one.

We know class actions are not the choice for everyone. Not only can Attorney McGrath represent you in the class action, but because we are intimately familiar with the details, we can easily represent you individually if that is the route you want to go.  McGrath Law Firm, PA has extensive experience with medical malpractice cases.

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

McGrath Law Firm has 88 class members to date in the class action against Exeter Hospital for the Hepatitis C outbreak and exposure.  The lawsuit is growing.
************************

As recently reported by WMUR…

Four more patients have tested positive for a strain of hepatitis C linked to Exeter Hospital, state health officials said Thursday.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the new cases bring the total number of cases connected to the outbreak to 31. One of those patients is also an Exeter Hospital employee, health officials said.

The outbreak has been linked to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab, and health officials have been seeking to test patients treated in the lab since Oct. 1, 2010. Director of Public Health Dr. Jose Montero said the new cases don’t require the department to expand the testing timeframe.

“The testing is continuing and will until we feel sure that we have not missed any possible exposures of patients related to this outbreak,” Montero said. “We continue to gather information and are trying to reach approximately 50 patients from the list who still need to have their blood drawn for testing.”

Health officials said the the testing has also diagnosed 12 patients with a different strain of hepatitis C than the one linked to the hospital.

The investigation is continuing into how the virus was spread. Health officials have said they believe a drug-addicted employee may have been using needles that were then used on patients.

Several patients have filed lawsuits against the hospital.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection transmitted by blood that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to chronic health issues.

Any patient who was treated at the lab or its recovery room from Oct. 1, 2010, through May 25, 2012, should have received a letter from Exeter Hospital about the need for testing, health officials said.

*************************

We know class actions are not the choice for everyone. Not only can Attorney McGrath represent you in the class action, but because we are intimately familiar with the details, we can easily represent you individually if that is the route you want to go.  McGrath Law Firm, PA has extensive experience with medical malpractice cases.

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

 

 

Click here to read previous blog post.

McGrath Law Firm has 88 class members to date in the class action against Exeter Hospital for the Hepatitis C outbreak and exposure.  The lawsuit is growing.
************************

As recently reported by WMUR…

Four more patients have tested positive for a strain of hepatitis C linked to Exeter Hospital, state health officials said Thursday.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the new cases bring the total number of cases connected to the outbreak to 31. One of those patients is also an Exeter Hospital employee, health officials said.

The outbreak has been linked to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab, and health officials have been seeking to test patients treated in the lab since Oct. 1, 2010. Director of Public Health Dr. Jose Montero said the new cases don’t require the department to expand the testing timeframe.

“The testing is continuing and will until we feel sure that we have not missed any possible exposures of patients related to this outbreak,” Montero said. “We continue to gather information and are trying to reach approximately 50 patients from the list who still need to have their blood drawn for testing.”

Health officials said the the testing has also diagnosed 12 patients with a different strain of hepatitis C than the one linked to the hospital.

The investigation is continuing into how the virus was spread. Health officials have said they believe a drug-addicted employee may have been using needles that were then used on patients.

Several patients have filed lawsuits against the hospital.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection transmitted by blood that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to chronic health issues.

Any patient who was treated at the lab or its recovery room from Oct. 1, 2010, through May 25, 2012, should have received a letter from Exeter Hospital about the need for testing, health officials said.

*************************

We know class actions are not the choice for everyone. Not only can Attorney McGrath represent you in the class action, but because we are intimately familiar with the details, we can easily represent you individually if that is the route you want to go.  McGrath Law Firm, PA has extensive experience with medical malpractice cases.

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

As reported By MARK HAYWARD
New Hampshire Union Leader
CONCORD — One of 19 Exeter Hospital patients infected with hepatitis C said the infection has kept him from doing one of the most enjoyable and beneficial activities since his heart surgery — walking.

The patient, identified by his lawyer as John Doe No. 1, spoke to the media and allowed his photograph to be taken Thursday morning. He did not provide a name.

A 49-year-old industrial mechanic, the Rockingham County resident said he was doing well until told of the hepatitis C. Since then, he has felt tired and his side hurts.

“It sets you back. You’re depressed all the time. You try to find something to do to take your mind off of it, but you can’t get your mind off it,” he said.

His lawyer, former federal prosecutor Peter G. McGrath, has filed a lawsuit against Exeter Hospital in Rockingham County Superior Court. McGrath said he has 44 clients and is seeking class-action status.

State health officials have said the likely cause of the outbreak is a hospital employee who injected himself with hospital painkillers and then returned the syringe for patient use.

McGrath said there are best practices for prevention of drug diversion, the term used to describe employee misuse of hospital medications. They include inventory control, employee drug testing, background checks, a second nurse to monitor drug dispensations and even retina scans.

Exeter Hospital was careless about following its own protocols, McGrath said, attributing the statement to Dr. Jose Montero, the New Hampshire director of public health.

Hospital spokesman Debbie Vasapolli said she could not comment on McGrath’s statement because of an investigation into the outbreak by the state attorney general.

“It’s clear that something didn’t work well here,” Montero said. But he said he could not discuss specifics because his department is investigating the matter.

Another attorney, Manchester lawyer Mark Abramson, has said he is representing seven clients who have tested positive for hepatitis C.

McGrath said five of his clients have tested positive; 20 are awaiting results; 19 have received negative results.

Patients with negative results suffered from emotional distress, McGrath said. And they are not in the clear: they must take a second test in six months to see whether their bodies have formed hepatitis C antibodies; that test is 98 percent certain, he said.

McGrath said some clients suffered needless pain in the hospital because of the alleged drug diversion.

McGrath’s client, a father of three, said he is dumbfounded over what happened. “I’m pretty much never going back to Exeter Hospital,” he said.

He said he underwent heart surgery last August. This spring, he received a telephone call from the hospital asking him to come in and be treated for hepatitis C.

He said he was disgusted to see that elderly people also had to go in for blood tests.

“They (Exeter Hospital) should be ashamed of themselves,” the man said. Hepatitis C is spread by infected blood and, in some cases, sexual contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It can result in long-term liver problems such as cirrhosis and cancer.

McGrath said the treatments are complicated and usually involve a mix of drug cocktails.

McGrath said the man’s wife has suffered sleepless nights and his children are upset.

“It’s all over the news, they can’t get away from it,” he said.

Has you or someone you know been affected by the Hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital?  Do you want to know your legal rights?  Call Attorney Peter G. McGrath at (603) 224-7111 or visit www.mcgrathlawfirm.com to learn!!!  We will fight for your rights!!