Oct 25, 2012 1 min read

PITTSBURGH – A new complaint filed against a Pittsburgh hospital over possible exposure to hepatitis C by a jailed radiology technician is seeking class-action status. The estate of a man who was diagnosed with cirrhosis following surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is among the plaintiffs who filed suit Tuesday against UPMC and the temporary staffing agency that employed David Kwiatkowski. The suit alleges they failed to report Kwiatkowski to authorities after UPMC discovered he was swiping needles. Kwiatkowski is facing federal drug charges in New Hampshire. He has pleaded not guilty to stealing drugs and tampering with needles. Of the 17 plaintiffs in the latest suit, three have tested positive for hepatitis C. One is awaiting test results. UPMC officials didn’t immediately return an email message Wednesday.