Former doctor seeks $3M from Pocahontas Co. hospital

ELKINS – A former West Virginia doctor is seeking more than $3 million from a Pocahontas County hospital, alleging he was not able to find work after the hospital discharged him due to its spreading of false rumors.

Dr. Hil Rizvi claims he lost his job at defendant Pocahontas Memorial Hospital on Jan. 23, 2007, but does not specify the reason for his dismissal.

According to Rizvi's complaint filed Aug. 27 in U.S. District Court, Rizvi was engaged in employment conversations with Wetzel County Hospital following his discharge from Pocahontas Memorial Hospital.

However, Rizvi found out he lost the employment opportunity on July 9, 2007, after Pocahontas Memorial Hospital staff provided statements, which Rizvi does not specify in his complaint, to Wetzel County Hospital, the suit states.

"Based on information and belief the statements by the Defendant regarding the Plaintiff are defamatory in that they are false and did harm his reputation, and did lower him in the eyes of the community and did deter third parties from associating with him," the complaint says.

Rizvi alleges libel, slander and tortious interference against Pocahontas Memorial Hospital.

Rizvi is seeking $300,000 for the libel count, $3 million for the slander count and $300,000 for the tortious interference count.

Rizvi will be representing himself.

U.S. District Court case number: 2:10-cv-100