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June 16. 2012 11:35PM
Lawyer for patients: They're 'scared to death'
Patients infected with the hepatitis C virus after undergoing procedures at Exeter Hospital — and others still waiting for test results — are “scared to death” about what the future holds, says the Manchester attorney representing them.
Mark Abramson said he is representing seven of the 19 patients who tested positive for the blood-borne virus after being treated at the hospital's cardiac catheterization lab in recent months.
And he's heard from “dozens and dozens and dozens” of people either waiting for their test results or who tested negative. “They all have fear in common,” he said. “The uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds for them, both physically and financially, is frightening to them.”
Abramson said none of his clients want to talk to the media. Most are people in their 50s and 60s, by virtue of the conditions that normally send someone to a cardiac cath lab.
One patient is a married, “high-powered” corporate executive in his 50s. Lately, because of his illness, Abramson said, “he is unable to get out of bed some days.”
Another client is a retired CPA in her 60s.
And a third is a man who wanted to become a priest before he met the woman who would become his wife of now 45 years. He recently had heart surgery in Boston and told Abramson he's afraid he might have spread the virus to employees and patients there.
One woman was actually diagnosed with hepatitis C months ago after she became sick but didn't know the source of her illness until she got a letter from Exeter Hospital asking her to come in for testing.
And one client remembers having “a funny sense” about a young man who was working there. Now he wonders whether that's the employee who gave him this disease.
Abramson said his clients also told him the hospital has never apologized to them for what happened.
But Debra Vasapolli, director of community relations at Exeter Hospital, said the hospital has been in contact with all 19 patients who have tested positive. And she apologized for what people are going through.
“We understand the level of anxiety this is causing in our community and, frankly, we're sorry that we've had to put people through this,” she said.
“We feel terrible,” said Ryan Lawrence, senior marketing and public relations analyst for the hospital. “It's hard for us to even imagine what these patients and their families are going through at this time. We feel incredibly sorry about what they're having to go through.”
Vasapolli said most hospital employees live in the local community and all have been troubled by the outbreak. “It's touched us deeply,” she said.
Exeter Hospital has been caring for the community for more than 100 years, she said. And she said the potential that “one person acting outside the legal boundaries can cause harm” should not erase “the value of the institution and what they're here to do.”
Abramson said in his 37 years of practice, he's heard all the comments about “vulture lawyers.” But he said one meritorious malpractice lawsuit can improve the safety of all patients.
He plans to depose everyone involved with the Exeter situation “to find out the truth of what they did and did not do.”
“And don't think every hospital in the state is not going to follow this closely and make sure they implement rules and procedures that prevent this from happening in another institution, he said.
“Because no other hospital wants to go through this.”
Shawne Wickham may be reached at swickham@unionleader.com.
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Mark Abramson said he is representing seven of the 19 patients who tested positive for the blood-borne virus after being treated at the hospital's cardiac catheterization lab in recent months.
And he's heard from “dozens and dozens and dozens” of people either waiting for their test results or who tested negative. “They all have fear in common,” he said. “The uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds for them, both physically and financially, is frightening to them.”
Abramson said none of his clients want to talk to the media. Most are people in their 50s and 60s, by virtue of the conditions that normally send someone to a cardiac cath lab.
One patient is a married, “high-powered” corporate executive in his 50s. Lately, because of his illness, Abramson said, “he is unable to get out of bed some days.”
Another client is a retired CPA in her 60s.
And a third is a man who wanted to become a priest before he met the woman who would become his wife of now 45 years. He recently had heart surgery in Boston and told Abramson he's afraid he might have spread the virus to employees and patients there.
One woman was actually diagnosed with hepatitis C months ago after she became sick but didn't know the source of her illness until she got a letter from Exeter Hospital asking her to come in for testing.
And one client remembers having “a funny sense” about a young man who was working there. Now he wonders whether that's the employee who gave him this disease.
Abramson said his clients also told him the hospital has never apologized to them for what happened.
But Debra Vasapolli, director of community relations at Exeter Hospital, said the hospital has been in contact with all 19 patients who have tested positive. And she apologized for what people are going through.
“We understand the level of anxiety this is causing in our community and, frankly, we're sorry that we've had to put people through this,” she said.
“We feel terrible,” said Ryan Lawrence, senior marketing and public relations analyst for the hospital. “It's hard for us to even imagine what these patients and their families are going through at this time. We feel incredibly sorry about what they're having to go through.”
Vasapolli said most hospital employees live in the local community and all have been troubled by the outbreak. “It's touched us deeply,” she said.
Exeter Hospital has been caring for the community for more than 100 years, she said. And she said the potential that “one person acting outside the legal boundaries can cause harm” should not erase “the value of the institution and what they're here to do.”
Abramson said in his 37 years of practice, he's heard all the comments about “vulture lawyers.” But he said one meritorious malpractice lawsuit can improve the safety of all patients.
He plans to depose everyone involved with the Exeter situation “to find out the truth of what they did and did not do.”
“And don't think every hospital in the state is not going to follow this closely and make sure they implement rules and procedures that prevent this from happening in another institution, he said.
“Because no other hospital wants to go through this.”
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Shawne Wickham may be reached at swickham@unionleader.com.
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