LifeSouth Defends Procedures After Lawsuit Claiming HIV-Infected Blood

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By Katy Sulhoff

Story Created: May 29, 2012 at 6:07 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 29, 2012 at 9:51 PM CDT

LifeSouth blood collection agency speaks publicly for the first about a lawsuit alleging they distributed HIV-infected blood to a local man.

The blood allegedly came from the Montgomery collection center in October 2010.

Officials told CBS 8 News there is only a one in almost two million chance of infected blood being distributed.

They are taking the situation seriously, but said it is extremely rare, and it is safe to give and receive blood.

They also told CBS 8 News LifeSouth follows the procedure mandated by the Federal Drug Administration.

"It is a rare occurrence but it it possible. We test every unit of blood, every donor for the same diseases, the same way every time," Carpenter said.

The Beasley-Allen Law Firm filed the suit earlier this month saying a local man received blood that later tested positive for HIV.

The lawsuit claims LifeSouth negligently provided blood infected with HIV and failed to implement reasonable screening and testing procedures.

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