In a comprehensive complaint filed on May 20, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Dr. Timothy Hall has brought forth allegations against Eastern Panhandle Anesthesia Associates (EPAA), West Virginia United Health System (WVU-BMC), Air Methods, and HealthNet Aeromedical Services. The lawsuit details claims of intentional unlawful discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other violations under both federal and state laws.
Dr. Hall's complaint asserts that he was subjected to discriminatory actions and wrongful termination by his employer EPAA beginning in August 2019, which continued until his employment was terminated in February 2020. The filing indicates that these actions were taken in response to Dr. Hall obtaining a court protection order against a WVU-BMC employee who had threatened him while he was performing patient care duties. Despite reporting the incident to WVU-BMC supervisors and administration, Dr. Hall alleges that harassment persisted both inside and outside the workplace.
The plaintiff contends that after securing the protection order on July 25, 2019, he faced retaliatory measures from EPAA and WVU-BMC including being mandated to undergo psychiatric evaluations without cause, being removed from call schedules, placed on probation with altered contract terms, and ultimately being terminated when he refused these demands. According to the complaint, EPAA's manager Jack Shamblin acknowledged knowing about Dr. Hall’s complaints but still imposed these discriminatory actions.
The complaint further alleges that even after his termination from EPAA, WVU-BMC engaged in additional retaliatory acts by attempting to dismiss Dr. Hall’s Clinical Professorship through false claims of malpractice insurance lapses. Despite maintaining active credentials and an appointment as Clinical Professor at WVU-BMC which included malpractice coverage through West Virginia Board of Insurance and Risk Management as per his appointment letter dated July 1, 2019, Dr. Hall states that WVU-BMC falsely induced a lapse in his credentials.
Dr. Hall also accuses the defendants of engaging in conspiratorial discrimination by using unsubstantiated complaints against him which were not properly addressed according to Medical Staff bylaws or hospital policies. These actions allegedly culminated in a decision by the Medical Executive Committee requiring him to undergo an FPPE evaluation process under false pretenses.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for lost income and benefits, emotional distress damages due to ongoing harassment and retaliation outside the workplace involving family members through "associational discrimination," punitive damages for malicious conduct by the defendants aimed at harming his licensure and reputation, as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
Representing himself pro se in this matter is Dr. Timothy Hall of Hedgesville, West Virginia.