Florida Blood Bank Sued Over HIV Infection Says Supply Is Safe

May 17, 2012

A Florida blood bank being sued by a patient who claims he was infected with HIV after a transfusion says its blood supply is safe.

Gainesville, Fla.-based LifeSouth Community Blood Centers said in a release that every donor is screened and the chances of a patient contracting a disease from tested blood are extremely rare.

The company declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The Montgomery, Ala.-based lawsuit claims Howard Midkiff received a blood transfusion from LifeSouth during a coronary bypass surgery and contracted HIV.

MidKiff’s attorneys sought unspecified damages, but are asking for that the award exceed the minimum required.

A spokeswoman for the Baptist Health hospital system where the transfusion was given said Midkiff is the only one believed to have been given blood from the donor in question.

Topics Lawsuits Florida

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