A federal judge ruled that Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health is not required to cover legal costs for William Husel, DO, the former Mount Carmel physician charged with 25 counts of murder, reports CBS affiliate WBNS.
Dr. Husel will go on trial in June for allegedly giving excessive painkiller doses to 35 intensive care patients at Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System between 2015 and 2018
Last August, Dr. Husel's lawyers sued Trinity Health — which owns Mount Carmel —alleging that Trinity's insurance policy should cover his legal fees since the allegations occurred while Dr. Husel was employed by the system. Trinity Health argued that Dr. Husel's actions stepped outside his scope of employment and, therefore, should not be covered.
The judge sided with Trinity Health, ruling that the insurance policy does not cover legal defense fees for a criminal case.
"We are pleased with the court's ruling denying Dr. Husel's request," Mount Carmel said in a statement to WBNS. "As always, Mount Carmel will continue focusing on caring for our patients."
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