Trinity Health and its hospital in Minot, N.D., have agreed in principal on a settlement with 21 victims of the largest hepatitis C outbreak in recent U.S. history, according to the Associated Press.
Lawyers on behalf of Trinity Health asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that hospital officials and 21 individuals affected by the outbreak reached a confidential settlement. The settlement has not yet been finalized, according to the article.
Trinity Health also requested to try an affiliated legal dispute between the hospital and ManorCare, a Toledo, Ohio-based nursing home with locations across the U.S., in federal court. A judge has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
The outbreak occurred in August 2013. Fifty-two individuals were affected, including 48 residents or former residents of ManorCare.
Victims filed a lawsuit against the hospital in April 2014, seeking unspecified monetary damages. In March, victims and the nursing home filed a separate lawsuit, alleging that an employee of Trinity's outpatient laboratory service caused the outbreak by failing to follow infection protocols, according to the article.
State and federal health officials speculate that the outbreak may have been caused by blood services provided to ManorCare residents. The official cause has yet to be determined, according to the article.