The Ebola virus disease, also commonly referred to as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, has reached epidemic levels in West Africa.  Over 4,500 individuals have died as a result of this deadly disease and twice that many have become infected.  So far, three cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in the U.S.  The first case was that of Thomas Duncan.  Duncan flew to Dallas, Texas from Liberia to visit family.  He appeared days later at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital with symptoms, but was sent home.  The hospital later admitted this was a mistake.  He reappeared three days later and tested positive for Ebola.  Unfortunately, Duncan died on October 8.

Three days after Duncan’s death, Nina Pham, a nurse who cared for Duncan, tested positive for Ebola.  The hospital believes a breach in protocol lead to the infection, but has not elaborated on what this breach was.  Soon after Pham was confirmed to have Ebola, another nurse, Amber Vinson, also tested positive.  Vinson had recently flown cross-country to plan her wedding, spurring the CDC to add several more individuals to its watch list.  Health officials and the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital continue to fail to provide an explanation as to how Vinson contracted the illness.

One nurse at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital has stepped forward as a whistleblower.  Briana Aguirre, joined by her attorney, agreed to an interview with Anderson Cooper.  She expressed disappointment with the hospital’s lack of transparency, which has led much of the public to continue to blame the nurses, rather than the hospital’s actions.  Aguirre revealed alarming actions taken by the hospital during the treatment of Duncan, including placing trash bags full of medical waste simply in the hallway of the isolation unit when the garbage room became full.  She also expressed concern over the lack of safety gear provided to nurses and the general chaos and uncontrolled environment that she believes contributed to the spread of the dangerous disease.

Aguirre’s attorney informed Anderson Cooper that she is entitled to some whistleblower protections in Texas, though the laws are not as strong as elsewhere.  He stressed that his client is not seeking to obtain monetary compensation through her whistleblowing actions.  Rather, she wants to know that her job is secure and that she has done what she can to bring to light what she feels is troubling actions occurring at the hospital.

The recent Ebola outbreak and threat of future cases in the U.S. has created much panic.  In the coming months, it will be important for healthcare workers like Briana Aguirre to blow the whistle when they feel a hospital or medical facility’s actions are putting others at risk.  Mississippi whistleblowers should be aware that federal and state laws protect whistleblowers like Aguirre, preventing their termination and sometimes allowing for the award of monetary compensation.

Barrett Law PLLC: Award Winning Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys

Whistleblower claims are often complex and may involve additional issues of discrimination or job termination due to the whistleblower’s activities.  All whistleblowers will require a thorough, dedicated, and knowledgeable attorney to guide them through the whistleblowing process.  The Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have assisted brave whistleblowers through the filing of qui tam actions for over 75 years.  Our zealous attorney team has the resources, innovation, and level of experience you need to obtain the best possible legal outcome.  At Barrett Law PLLC, we offer a free consultation to all new clients and operate on a contingency fee basis.  For representation of unmatched excellence, call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.