Denver hospital faces lawsuit in stolen painkiller case

A lawsuit has been filed against Swedish Medical Center, alleging the Denver-area hospital was negligent in hiring a surgery technician who put thousands of patients at risk of being exposed to HIV and hepatitis.

The Denver Post reports the hospital fired Rocky Allen in January. Court records show that when Allen was hired he had already been fired from four other hospitals and had been court-martialed during his time in the Navy for stealing pain medication.

Allen has since pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he stole syringes filled with fentanyl from the hospital.

The lawsuit seeks class action status for those who had surgery at Swedish when Allen worked there.

Swedish Medical Center has offered about 2,900 patients free tests for HIV and hepatitis.

The hospital couldn’t be reached for comment.