PITTSBURGH — A patient filed a class-action lawsuit against UPMC Presbyterian Shayside, citing alleged professional negligence.
Lead plaintiff Michelle Harris-Barber filed a complaint June 6 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, alleging that the hospital allowed a nurse with tuberculosis to work within the hospital and come in contact with patients and their loved ones.
According to the complaint, Harris-Barber received a letter from the hospital on April 11 advising her that she may have been exposed to the infection and that she should call the Allegheny County Health Department Tuberculosis Clinic to schedule a follow-up appointment for a tuberculin skin test and treatment.
Harris-Barber said the hospital allegedly failed to keep one of its nurses, who was infected with tuberculosis bacterium, from coming into close contact with thousands of patients.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages recoverable in an amount in excess of $25,000, plus any other relief deemed appropriate. She is represented by Brendan Lupetin and Mark Smith of Meyers, Evans, Lupetin & Unatin LLC in Pittsburgh.
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County case number GD 18-7288