Lawsuit: Oahu man HIV-positive after blood transfusion
STAR-ADVERTISER / JAN. 2015
The Blood Bank of Hawaii on Dillingham Blvd. An Oahu man is suing the Blood Bank of Hawaii, the American Red Cross and others, alleging he became HIV-positive from a blood transfusion during bypass surgery in 2011.
A man’s lawsuit against Blood Bank of Hawaii, the American Red Cross and others alleges he became HIV-positive from a blood transfusion during bypass surgery in 2011.
In 2013, the man tested positive for HIV with AIDS, the lawsuit said. The blood bank and Red Cross provided blood-transfusion products to hospitals in Hawaii, including the one where he underwent surgery, the lawsuit said. Other unidentified corporations and agencies are defendants.
The defendants “failed, neglected, and/or refused to conduct a full and complete screening and testing of the blood that was transfused into” the man, according to the lawsuit, which was first filed in state court last year, but was transferred to federal court earlier this week at the Red Cross’ request.
A hearing is scheduled for March 31.
American Red Cross spokeswoman Kara Lusk Dudley said in a statement that their investigation has found that the claims against the organization have no merit.
“The safety of American Red Cross donors and recipients of blood products is our top priority,” the statement said. “The Red Cross performs laboratory tests for multiple infectious disease markers, including HIV, on every unit of donated blood.”
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Attorneys will fully investigate the allegations, Blood Bank of Hawaii said in a statement.
“Safety of the blood supply is paramount and we work diligently each day towards zero-risk for all patients in need of blood,” the statement said. “There is approximately a 1 in 2 million chance of contracting HIV through a blood transfusion. … Nationally, there have been fewer than 10 cases of HIV being transmitted through a blood transfusion since 1999 with more than 20 million blood components being transfused and screened each year.”
The statement said 13 tests – for infectious diseases including HIV – are performed on donated blood.
The Oahu man who is suing plus his wife and children are not identifying themselves. The lawsuit says doing so would subject them to public ridicule.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
