BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Twenty-one victims of the largest hepatitis C outbreak in recent U.S. history are close to settling a lawsuit against Minot's hospital out of court.

Trinity attorneys in court documents say the hospital has "reached a confidential settlement resolving all of the individual plaintiffs' claims against it."

A plaintiff's attorney tells The Associated Press that the settlement in the state court lawsuit still needs to be finalized.

Once it is, Trinity wants a connected legal dispute with ManorCare nursing home to return to federal court, where it originated. State Judge Todd Cresap hasn't yet ruled.

Fifty-two people were sickened in the outbreak that began in August 2013, most of them ManorCare residents. Federal health officials say it was the nation's largest outbreak in 13 years. ManorCare blames Trinity. Trinity denies responsibility.

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