Connecticut Jury Awards Doctor $4M Health Care Lab Case

A state court jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut has awarded more than $4 million to a doctor who was fired from a health care lab in Stratford after he complained that one of its tests could jeopardize patients’ health.

The six jurors found on Friday that Dianon Systems Inc.’s firing of Trumbull doctor G. Barry Schumann in April 2005 violated his free speech rights. The verdict could increase to nearly $7 million when lawyers’ fees and interest are added in.

Dianon spokeswoman Donna Schuetz says the company disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal.

The lab test in question was a new diagnostic exam for patients with blood in their urine used to determine if they had kidney or urinary tract problems. Schumann complained that the test could produce false results that lead to unnecessary treatments.

Last year, Dianon paid $1.5 million to settle federal charges that it billed Medicare for unnecessary tests.

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Information from: Connecticut Post