West Virginia Doctor Facing Multiple Suits Sues Hospital

A former West Virginia doctor facing dozens of malpractice lawsuits is seeking $72.5 million dollars in damages in a lawsuit against the former Putnam General Hospital.

John King’s lawsuit also names the hospital’s former owner, Hospital Corporation of America, among other defendants.

King alleges the hospital paid bonuses to surgeons for processing patients more quickly. The lawsuit also alleges that he lost his surgery privileges in retaliation for not investing in a physician’s business.

The former osteopathic surgeon filed the lawsuit himself in U.S. District Court in Nashville, where HCA is based.

HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, and Putnam General have already paid millions in settlements over the malpractice lawsuits.

Information from: The Charleston Gazette,
http://www.wvgazette.com