Kentucky Man Awarded $21M for ‘Unnecessary’ Heart Procedures by Hospital

August 18, 2016

A jury has determined that a hospital in London, Kentucky, and its parent company should pay $21.2 million to a Corbin man who received unnecessary heart procedures.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the jury ruled August 10 St. Joseph Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives were negligent, violated consumer-protection rules and took part in a conspiracy after performing heart procedures on Kevin Wells.

Wells alleged that the hospital performed the procedures to boost payments from health programs and insurance companies.

Wells’ attorney, Hans Poppe, says a doctor at the hospital recommended Wells get a pacemaker, although other doctors would later say he didn’t need one.

The hospital argued that the treatment Wells received was necessary.

Poppe says the defendants are likely to appeal.

Topics Kentucky

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