Former N.C. Hospital Worker Sues Former Employer, Charging He Was Fired Because of HIV-Positive Status
A man who says he was fired from his job as a phlebotomist because he is HIV-positive is suing Aegis Family Health Centers of Winston-Salem, N.C., and N.C. Baptist Hospital Inc., which owns the center, the Winston-Salem Journal reports. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Greensboro on Aug. 6, attorneys for Raymond Campbell allege that he was fired from Aegis in May 1999 in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act after his HIV-positive status was disclosed. According to Michael Hoare, one of Campbell's lawyers, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has already ruled that Campbell, who now works as a phlebotomist at a hospital in Maryland, was fired because of his HIV-positive status. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages. Robin Shea, the attorney for Aegis and Baptist Hospital, denied that the groups had discriminated against Campbell. "We don't take action against employees because of their medical condition, unless their medical condition puts the patients' health at risk," she said. Shea said Campbell was fired after Aegis and Baptist officials investigated "issues regarding patients at the center." She would not say how Campbell was involved in the investigation, but did say he walked out of an interview that was part of the proceedings (Hinton, Winston-Salem Journal, 8/15).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.