Exeter Hospital became the target of four more lawsuits Wednesday with former patients claiming the hospital is directly responsible for their becoming infected with the life-threatening hepatitis C virus.

An 83-year-old Danville grandmother, a 69-year-old Air Force veteran, a Manchester grandfather and a single Exeter mother alleged negligence, medical negligence and recklessness in their suits filed in Rockingham County Superior Court .

They also claim they suffered “devastating emotional distress” as a result of being infected with an “incurable blood borne infectious disease” that will result in extraordinary medical costs and threatens their eligibility for life and medical insurance, the suits said.

“They want the hospital held responsible — both morally and financially — keeping in mind that all these people are going to need very painful treatments and are going to be living with this disease forever,” Manchester attorney Mark A. Abramson said.

Abramson represents seven of the 19 former Exeter Hospital patients who tested positive for the particular strain of hepatitis C virus linked to the outbreak at the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and recovery room. A hospital employee also tested positive for it.

State officials said the investigation into the source of the outbreak so far points to a drug-addicted employee who used syringes to inject painkillers or drugs intended for patients. They will not say if the employee infected with the disease is the source of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s office is assisting the state Attorney General’s office, state and Exeter police in a criminal investigation.

State health officials and hospital officials recommend those treated at the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab from Oct. 1, 2010, through May 25 have their blood tested. More than 1,200 patients may have been exposed to the potentially-deadly virus that attacks the liver.

The four former patients who filed suit Wednesday are: Doris Ayer, 83, of Danville; Donald Page, a 49-year-old Manchester grandfather; David E. Porter, 69, of Danville whose wife, Carole, also joined the suit; and an unidentified single Exeter woman.

To date, Abramson filed suits on behalf of six patients and said a seventh plans to sue soon.

Portsmouth attorney Michael Rainboth filed suit on behalf of a Newmarket woman infected with the disease. And Concord’s Peter McGrath wants to bring a class-action suit against the hospital on behalf of 24 clients — five of whom so far tested positive for the disease.

A hospital spokeswoman has said Exeter Hospital cannot comment on pending litigation or the ongoing investigations.

In a statement Wednesday, the hospital said it established a dedicated clinical response team to treat all patients diagnosed with hepatitis C. More than half the patients who tested positive with the virus are actively receiving care at the clinic, the hospital said.

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Kathryn Marchocki may be reached at kmarchocki@unionleader.com.