Several patients of the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center have filed a class action lawsuit against the United States government for negligent dental care.
Six individuals say they experienced “extreme emotional distress” after discovering a VA dentist had potentially exposed them to HIV and other infections, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District court Wednesday.
Last November, VA officials informed 592 patients their dentist had been using personal equipment instead of following hygiene procedures.
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The medical center offered free blood testing to those involved. As of September, almost 90 percent of the affected patients had been tested and no infections had been reported.
The plaintiffs are seeking $50,000 for each of the affected patients, bringing the total claim to $29.6 million.
The plaintiffs’ attorney declined a request for comment.
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