Bryan v. James E. Holmes Regional Medical Center
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
33 F.3d 1318 (1994)
- Written by Angela Patrick, JD
Facts
Dr. Floyd Bryan (plaintiff) was a skilled vascular surgeon who took his work seriously. However, if Bryan did not want to work with a hospital staff member for any reason, he deliberately insulted the staff member to drive the person away. Over 50 complaints were filed about Bryan’s arguably abusive conduct toward his colleagues while Bryan was working for the James E. Holmes Regional Medical Center (Holmes) (defendant). After multiple warnings, Holmes’s executive board recommended permanently revoking Bryan’s clinical privileges at Holmes. Bryan was then given a peer-review hearing. At this hearing, Bryan was allowed to present evidence and arguments. Bryan admitted to most of the conduct, and the peer-review panel recommended suspending Bryan’s clinical privileges at Holmes for two years. After further committee review, Holmes revoked Bryan’s clinical privileges permanently. Bryan filed a lawsuit with claims against Holmes and several individuals, contending that they destroyed his medical practice by imposing an unfair punishment for his conduct. Holmes moved for a judgment in its favor, arguing that it was immune from Bryan’s claims for money damages. The trial court denied the motion, and the jury awarded Bryan $4.2 million. Holmes renewed its request, but the trial court denied it again. Holmes appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Tjoflat, C.J.)
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