Patients file suit against Olean hospital, others
A New York law firm is representing three clients who have filed lawsuits
against Olean General Hospital after contracting blood-borne diseases.
In addition to the hospital, the lawsuits also name as defendants three
different manufacturers of insulin pens and several large pharmaceutical
companies. The complaints, which allege
medical malpractice, were filed after the clients tested positive for Hepatitis. The hospital
recently issued an announcement stating that there is a possibility that
insulin pens were reused on different patients from November 2009 through
January 2013. The hospital sent out information packets to approximately
1,900 patients providing notice of the possible occurrences.
Hospital officials have stated that at this time there is no proof that
anyone was actually contaminated from a reused insulin pen. Rather, the
announcement was prompted by reports from nurses who said that it is possible
that such a contamination might occur.
In 2009, the FDA made it clear in a statement that insulin pens should
not be reused. In addition to the claims filed against the hospitals for
negligence, the complaints allege that the manufacturers of the insulin
pens should have taken a more proactive approach in the warnings on their products.
When hospitals are negligent in their actions, patients may have the opportunity
to file complaints against them for their negligence. After receiving
the hospital's information packet, almost 600 patients have been tested
for HIV and Hepatitis. As more patients are tested, it is possible that
more complaints will be filed. The attorney representing the plaintiffs
has stated these lawsuits are only the beginning, and more are expected
to be filed. An experienced medical malpractice attorney may help patients
who are in a similar situation recover compensation to address the complications
arising from blood-borne diseases they have contracted due to inadequate
sterilization at a medical facility.
Source: WKBW News, "Lawsuits Filed Against Olean General Hospital, Insulin
Pen Manufacturers," Kyla Igoe, Feb. 27, 2013