Idaho Physician awarded $897,190 by jury against his former practice for wrongful termination

September 30, 2022- Jury Verdict in favor of Dr Thomas Neal,  $897,190 for wrongful termination in violation of public policy and breach of fiduciary duty.

After ten days of jury trial, a Coeur d’Alene, Idaho jury entered a verdict for $879,190 in favor of Mary Schultz Law client, Coeur d’Alene physician Dr. Thomas Neal, against his former family medicine practice, Ironwood Family Physicians, on claims of wrongful termination and breach of fiduciary duty. Dr. Neal proved that he was wrongfully terminated as an Ironwood Family Practice shareholder, partner, and employee of 24 years because he refused to allow his Ironwood partners to divert his seriously ill patients needing hospitalization into a Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency Program for their in-hospital care, instead of the normal admission pathway for such ill patients through Hospitalists and specialists. The two-week trial established that a physician has a duty to use independent medical judgment to ensure the safety of their patients over financial benefit, as a matter of public policy.