Spann v. Irwin Memorial Blood Centers

Opinion

CHIN, P. J.

In October of 1984 Sherrie Spann received an infusion of more than 130 units of blood plasma and platelets as treatment for a life-threatening blood disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Although the treatment regimen was apparently successful, Ms. Spann contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from the infused blood products; she died in May of 1990 from complications due to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Ms. Spann’s husband, Douglas Spann, sued the Kaiser Foundation Hospital (Kaiser), the Permanente Medical Group, Inc. (Permanente),…