Affinity Medical Center in Massillon, Ohio, which is operated by Franklin Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, must pay a nurse that it fired more than two years ago more than $2 million for defamation and punitive damages.
A Stark County, Ohio jury on Friday ordered Affinity Medical Center to pay the nurse, Ann Wayt, $800,000 for defamation and another $750,000 in punitive damages, along with Ms. Wayt's attorney fees, according to a news release from nurses' union National Nurses United. Nurses at Affinity Medical Center voted in 2012 to join the state affiliate of National Nurses United.
The recent ruling came more than two years after Ms. Wayt's termination and more than a year after a district court judge issued a cease and desist injunction ordering Affinity Medical Center to reinstate Ms. Wayt, according to a news release.
Affinity Medical Center offered Ms. Wayt a return, but defamatory activity against her allegedly did not stop, prompting her to file the civil suit that led to the recent verdict, according to a news release.
Affinity Medical Center said in a statement that it respects the court and the jury's diligence, but expressed disappointment with the decision.
"Our team will review the ruling and consider next steps," the statement reads. "Affinity Medical Center remains focused on providing safe, quality care for the patients we serve."
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