Jury Sides With Whistleblower in Suit Against Corona Regional in California

A jury sided with a whistleblower in a lawsuit against Corona (Calif.) Regional Medical Center, upholding the former employee's claim that he was fired for making complaints about unsafe healthcare conditions and wage violations at Corona, according to a Press-Enterprise report.

Allen Jaffe, a former respiratory therapist at the hospital, claimed he was fired in November 2008 for filing a complaint to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration about concerns over contamination issues and medication administration.

Mr. Jaffe also claimed he was denied meal breaks and worked 12-hour shifts, whereas California law requires at least 30 minutes for a meal break for every hourly employee working five or more hours, according to the report.

A jury awarded Mr. Jaffe $514,000 in awards. A spokesperson for the hospital said it intends to appeal the verdict, according to the report.

Corona is owned by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services.

More Article son Hospitals and Whistleblowers:

DOJ Breaks Record for Healthcare Recoveries Under False Claims Act
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Stark Law, False Claims and HIPAA: Key Risk Areas for Hospitals


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