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CAMC to pay $11.5M to settle fight with surgeon

August 28, 2008 @ 08:44 AM

The Associated Press

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A four-year battle between Charleston Area Medical Center and a surgeon over malpractice insurance is over.

CAMC’s trustees agreed Wednesday to pay $11.5 million to Dr. R.E. Hamrick Jr. Hamrick agreed to end his legal case against the hospital.

Hamrick sued CAMC after his hospital privileges were pulled in 2004 after he established a $1 million self-funded malpractice program instead of obtaining commercial coverage.

In February, a Kanawha County jury awarded $25 million to Hamrick. A special judge later reduced the damages to $10 million.

CAMC said it will drop plans to appeal the case to the state Supreme Court.

Hamrick’s attorney and sister, Karen Miller, said she hopes the agreement will lead to better treatment for doctors, nurses and medical staff at CAMC.