Wolford's lawyers said last week that her husband, Dennis, tested negative for hepatitis C prior to the transplants. However, he was believed to have received the painkiller Fentanyl. This summer, Mayo Clinic Florida issued a statement saying an ex-employee was sacked for injecting himself with Fentanyl and then re-using the syringes with patients.

The RT, identified as Steven Beumel, 47, by the local sheriff's office, was only charged with diverting drugs, because he did not know he was infected by the virus at the time, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He was released on bail in early September.

The clinic has alerted more than 5,000 patients of the risk of having contracted hepatitis C infection from their time at the hospital. So far, three patients have been diagnosed with hepatitis C that is genetically similar to the kind Beumel contracted, the Sentinel reported. Two of those patients have since died, one from the virus, according to the newspaper.

Mayo Clinic said it could not comment on the lawsuit.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to the family for the difficulties following the loss of their loved one," a clinic spokesman said. "Mayo Clinic does not comment on pending litigation."




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