Demolition began on the former UPMC Braddock (Pa.) Hospital on Oct. 7, but seven neighbors have filed a class-action lawsuit to in attempt to halt the wrecking ball, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.
The suit, filed in county court on Thursday, claims UPMC violated plaintiffs' civil rights by closing a major healthcare provider from a less developed community while UPMC builds a multi-million dollar facility in the affluent neighborhood of Monroeville, Pa.
The suit also claims Braddock residents have encountered lower property values and adverse health effects since the hospital's closure in Jan. 2010.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to prevent the hospital's demolition, as well as damages for loss in property values, loss of health care, mental anguish and discrimination. They are also seeking punitive damages and payment of legal and court fees.
State officials temporarily halted demolition of the hospital this week due to permit issues.
Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report on the lawsuit regarding UPMC Braddock's demolition.
Read more about UPMC:
-UPMC Installs "Smart Rooms" to Improve Patient Care
-Pennsylvania's Hamot Health to Explore Partnership with UPMC, Cleveland Clinic
-UPMC Plans Patient Access to Records Through Google; Similar System Already in Use at Small Missouri Hospital
The suit, filed in county court on Thursday, claims UPMC violated plaintiffs' civil rights by closing a major healthcare provider from a less developed community while UPMC builds a multi-million dollar facility in the affluent neighborhood of Monroeville, Pa.
The suit also claims Braddock residents have encountered lower property values and adverse health effects since the hospital's closure in Jan. 2010.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to prevent the hospital's demolition, as well as damages for loss in property values, loss of health care, mental anguish and discrimination. They are also seeking punitive damages and payment of legal and court fees.
State officials temporarily halted demolition of the hospital this week due to permit issues.
Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report on the lawsuit regarding UPMC Braddock's demolition.
Read more about UPMC:
-UPMC Installs "Smart Rooms" to Improve Patient Care
-Pennsylvania's Hamot Health to Explore Partnership with UPMC, Cleveland Clinic
-UPMC Plans Patient Access to Records Through Google; Similar System Already in Use at Small Missouri Hospital