Our firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a man who received blood infected with HIV during coronary bypass surgery. As a result of receiving the HIV-positive blood, Howard Midkiff of Montgomery contracted HIV. He will have to take medication and receive treatment for the rest of his life. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is the Defendant in this case.

It’s tragic and unforgivable – particularly in light of today’s medical testing capabilities – that a man could undergo heart surgery and survive the risks associated with such a complex operation, only to learn months later that he contracted HIV from a tainted blood transfusion he received during surgery. A tainted blood supply puts everyone at risk.

The blood contaminated with HIV was collected by LifeSouth in Dale County, Ala., from “John Doe” on October 14, 2010. Mr. Midkiff was admitted to Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery, on October 18, 2010 for coronary bypass grafting. During his surgery, Mr. Midkiff received a transfusion of blood and blood components provided by LifeSouth. In May 2011, LifeSouth discovered the distributed blood products tested positive for HIV and notified Baptist Medical Center. After blood testing in June 2011, Mr. Midkiff was diagnosed as being HIV-positive.

We contended in the lawsuit that LifeSouth negligently provided blood infected with HIV, and negligently designed and/or failed to implement reasonable screening, handling and testing procedures that could have prevented the dissemination of blood contaminated with HIV. Mike Andrews, a lawyer in our firm, will be the lead attorney in this case. I will also be working with Mike on this important case and will be on the trial team.