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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 10, 1993                   TAG: 9302100234
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Short

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TECHNICIAN WINS SUIT; PATIENT CONCEALED HIV

A surgical technician cut by a scalpel during an operation was awarded $102,500 on Tuesday in a lawsuit against the patient, who failed to disclose she has the virus that causes AIDS.

A jury found that patient Jan Lustig committed fraud and negligent infliction of emotional distress on Diane Boulais.

Although Boulais has tested negative for the HIV virus so far, her lawyer told jurors she lives in fear of contracting the disease.

"I am thrilled," Boulais said. "It is a message that will help all health-care workers."

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