$2.5M Class Action Settlement Reached by Atrium Health Urology

Patients who sought care at Atrium Health Urology during the period from April 1, 2021, to Sept. 22, 2022, and were advised to undergo blood testing that ultimately showed no signs of infection may be entitled to receive roughly $1,000 as part of a class action settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, the entity operating Atrium Health Urology, has agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit centered on allegations that the facility failed to adequately document the sterilization or high-level disinfection of reusable medical instruments. This failure raised concerns about the facility’s adherence to proper procedures, leading the CMHA to urge patients to undergo blood tests to check for potential infections.

To qualify as a class member eligible for compensation, individuals must have met a specific set of criteria: they received medical care at Atrium Health Urology between April 1, 2021, and Sept. 22, 2022, were advised to take a blood test in light of their treatment, complied with the recommended blood testing, and were found not to have acquired a new infection. Those who were sent a notification by mail have been identified by CMHA’s records as possible class members.

Each qualified class member will receive an equal portion of the $2.5 million settlement fund after accounting for legal fees, expenses, service awards, and administrative costs. While the anticipated average payment stands at around $1,000 per person, the final amount may vary based on the total number of valid class members and the deductions for fees and expenses.

To receive their compensation, class members are not required to submit a claim; instead, the settlement administrator will automatically mail checks to eligible recipients using the latest address on file. Those who need to verify or update their address details can reach out to the settlement administrator directly.

The breakdown of the $2.5 million settlement fund diversifies its allocation to cover settlement administration and notice costs, attorney fees, expenses, service awards for class representatives, and payments to qualifying class members. Key dates to bear in mind include the deadline for requesting exclusion by March 23, 2026, and the final approval hearing scheduled for April 24, 2026. Following the resolution of any appeals and the court’s final approval of the settlement, the settlement administrator will distribute payments to eligible class members approximately 30 days thereafter.

Amidst the class action lawsuit’s contentions regarding the lack of proper documentation of sterilization or high-level disinfection procedures at Atrium Health Urology by the CMHA, the settlement was reached to preclude the risks and expenses associated with protracted litigation. While CMHA disavows any wrongdoing or negligence, it has opted to settle the matter to circumvent further legal entanglements.