MEDIA — A physical therapist is suing a rehabilitation facility, citing alleged retaliation and wrongful termination.
William Gurley filed a complaint on Jan. 25 in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas against Reliant Pro Rehab LLC, citing alleged violation of the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act.
According to the complaint, in January 2018, Gurley began employment with defendant and was tasked with overseeing patient care responsibilities. Plaintiff claims following the hiring of Liam Barnes, a new director of rehabilitation and physical therapist assistant, plaintiff became aware that Barnes failed to properly document treatments that he performed and submitted numerous requests for reimbursement to Medicare for treatments and services that he did not actually perform.
Despite Gurley reporting what he believed to be false reports by Barnes, defendants allegedly did not take corrective action and instead attempted to justify his conduct. In addition, plaintiff claims he was directed by another director to perform further treatment on patients and bill Medicare for services that were not necessary. Plaintiff refused to comply and, as a result, says he was abruptly terminated.
The plaintiff holds Reliant Pro Rehab LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly terminated plaintiff's employment in retaliation for registering good faith complaints of wrongdoing and/or for opposing and refusing to engage in illegal activities.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory damages, pecuniary losses, pre- and post-judgment interest, and such other relief as is deemed just and proper. He is represented by Sidney Gold of Sidney L. Gold and Associates in Philadelphia.