Judge issues temporary restraining order in Ebola nurse Nina Pham case

Emily Rappleye -

A Texas district judge has temporarily stopped Arlington-based Texas Health Resources from pursuing a worker's compensation claim for nurse Nina Pham, who was infected with Ebola while caring for the first U.S. patient with the deadly disease, The Dallas Morning News reported.

After a short hearing Monday, District Judge Martin Hoffman issued a temporary restraining order against THR and its insurance company, according to the report.

THR's attorneys argued the case can be settled with worker's compensation. Ms. Pham's attorneys believe THR is seeking worker's compensation to dismiss her lawsuit, which was filed in March. The lawsuit alleges Ms. Pham caught Ebola due to THR's failure to train staff and provide proper equipment to deal with Ebola patients. It also alleges information was released about Ms. Pham's case without her permission. THR claims it had her permission.

Ms. Pham is still dealing with lingering issues from the disease and drugs and is seeking unspecified damages, according to the report.

A full hearing will be scheduled in the next two weeks, depending on which court has jurisdiction, District Judge Hoffman's or the worker's compensation court, The Dallas Morning News reported.

 

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