 
| ||
News of the Day ... In Perspective01/24/2006Court upholds $1 million award to whistleblowing doctor The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld a judgment in favor of Dr. David Springer, who had lost his job at Delaware Psychiatric Center after speaking out on patient-care issues. �The evidence supports the jury finding that [Renata] Henry [director of the Delaware Division of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health] acted at least recklessly or callously, if not intentionally or maliciously, with respect to Dr. Springer�s constitutionally protected rights,� wrote Judge Dolores Sloviter. Dr. Springer had complained of understaffing, overcrowding, and verbal and physical abuse of patients. �Physicians are essentially being asked to practice medicine at below their own minimum ethical standards on a routine basis,� he wrote. He filed a federal lawsuit in October 2000 when his contract was not renewed (Randall Chase, AP 1/19/06). Additional information:
|