SALEM – Lawyers are filing a class-action lawsuit after hundreds of endoscopy patients underwent endoscopic procedures at a Salem hospital. possible exposure Dangerous viruses.
The lawsuit names Massachusetts General Hospital, Salem Hospital and 10 hospital employees, accusing them of negligence, Keches Law Group said.
On Wednesday, the hospital announced that improper IV procedures may have infected up to 450 patients with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. The hospital said the problem has been ongoing for about two years.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of plaintiff Melinda Cashman of Amesbury. Cashman must undergo testing to determine whether she was infected, “a process that could take months or even years,” the lawsuit states.
“As a result, Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer severe emotional distress and mental anguish in connection therewith,” the lawsuit states.
Salem Hospital said the patient’s risk of infection has been determined to be “minimal” and all potentially affected patients have been notified and offered free screening.So far, there have been no reports of anyone being infected
WBZ-TV spoke with Altman Nussbaum Shunnara’s trial attorney, Michael Walsh, Next steps for affected patients. He said patients should understand what they are signing up for before getting tested.
“Of course, there has to be some form of consent to get tested, but what you don’t want to do is sign any agreement that absolves the hospital or any institution from liability if you happen to be infected by these practices,” said Walsh.