Angela King, MD, an anesthesiologist formerly with University Healthcare System, has sued her former employer for sex discrimination, retaliation, breach of oral contract, violation of the Equal Pay Act and violation of the Louisiana Wage Payment Statute, according to a Leagle report.
A jury found that UHS did violate the EPA and the LWPS and awarded Dr. King $32,700 in compensatory damages under the EPA, $32,700 in liquidated damages under the EPA and $75,000 in penalties under the LWPS. The court also awarded $76,370.54 in attorney's fees to UHS and $72,613.80 in attorney's fees to Dr. King.
The jury found that UHS did not discriminate against Dr. King based on her sex, illegally retaliate against her or breach an oral contract.
Dr. King was employed by UHS as an anesthesiologist at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans beginning in 2005. Under her employment agreement, Dr. King was paid a base salary and an additional capped sum based on time spent on specialty calls. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, UHS was unable to keep Tulane open, and instead Dr. King and other providers operated about of Lakeside Hospital, allegedly working long hours to ensure patient safety.
Dr. King tested that amidst the strain of the post-Katrina period, she and Charles Fox, MD, then clinical director of Tulane's anesthesiology department, discussed additional payments for the anesthesiologists who were working more hours. Dr. King testified that she and Dr. Fox agreed that UHS would pay $150 per hour for each "extra" hour she worked. Dr. Fox testified that he did not recall promising Dr. King this payment. However, physician time sheets starting after the alleged conversation indicate that physicians began logging their hours at a $150 rate following the discussion.
Both parties have appealed aspects of the court's ruling.
Read the Leagle report on Dr. Angela King.
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A jury found that UHS did violate the EPA and the LWPS and awarded Dr. King $32,700 in compensatory damages under the EPA, $32,700 in liquidated damages under the EPA and $75,000 in penalties under the LWPS. The court also awarded $76,370.54 in attorney's fees to UHS and $72,613.80 in attorney's fees to Dr. King.
The jury found that UHS did not discriminate against Dr. King based on her sex, illegally retaliate against her or breach an oral contract.
Dr. King was employed by UHS as an anesthesiologist at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans beginning in 2005. Under her employment agreement, Dr. King was paid a base salary and an additional capped sum based on time spent on specialty calls. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, UHS was unable to keep Tulane open, and instead Dr. King and other providers operated about of Lakeside Hospital, allegedly working long hours to ensure patient safety.
Dr. King tested that amidst the strain of the post-Katrina period, she and Charles Fox, MD, then clinical director of Tulane's anesthesiology department, discussed additional payments for the anesthesiologists who were working more hours. Dr. King testified that she and Dr. Fox agreed that UHS would pay $150 per hour for each "extra" hour she worked. Dr. Fox testified that he did not recall promising Dr. King this payment. However, physician time sheets starting after the alleged conversation indicate that physicians began logging their hours at a $150 rate following the discussion.
Both parties have appealed aspects of the court's ruling.
Read the Leagle report on Dr. Angela King.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Webinar Discusses Benefits and Challenges of Changing Anesthesia Providers
Anesthesiologist Reaches Settlement With Former Practice Over Breach of Contract Claims
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case Involving Patient Death From Nurse Anesthetist Malpractice