By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On June 25, 2019, a Washington state appeals court sided with an arbitrator’s decision to award $17.5 million to a neurosurgeon who was fired after he didn’t disclose his arrest for soliciting prostitute.
Swedish Health Services had appealed the original arbitration ruling, arguing that the neurosurgeon violated the terms of his employment contract when he failed to notify the employer that he had been arrested in a prostitution sting. However, according to the reports, the neurosurgeon claimed that in 2017 Swedish Health Services actually fired him after he complained of the practices of a different doctor. The arbitral ruled in favor of the neurosurgeon and made the monetary award. Click here to read more.
Swedish Health Services argued that the arbitrator unfairly limited how much it could cross-examine the fired neurosurgeon about his “illicit behaviors” before he was fired. However, the court rejected arguments that Swedish Health Services didn’t get a fair shake at the arbitration hearing. The court affirmed that his sexual activities were irrelevant to the claims about the cause of the termination.
To read the court’s opinion in full, click here.
Click here to read one of my prior blogs about a wrongful termination case involving a health care facility and a former employee and whistleblower.
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Sources:
Lidgett, Adam. “Doc Who Solicited Prostitute Sees $17.5M Arbitral Win Upheld.” Law360. (June 25, 2019). Web.
Baker, Mike. “Judge confirms $17.5M award for fired Swedish Health neurosurgeon.” Seattle Times. (October 23, 2017). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
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