PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania physician who said he was fired from Eagleville Hospital for warning about patient safety is suing the mental facility for whistleblower retaliation.
Donald J. Sesso sued Eagleville Hospital March 25 under the whistleblower retaliation clause via the False Claims Act and the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Sesso, who worked at Eagleville Hospital for 10 years, began complaining in 2019 that there was a shortage of physicians and that patients weren’t being properly cared for. Shortly after complaining about the major shortage in an email, he was told via email that he was terminated with no cause.
He alleged in his lawsuit that he was told that the letter, which read, “We do not anticipate having need for your services during this time period," was 60 days’ notice, according to the lawsuit.
He’s suing for damages of twice his past or back lost pay and benefits, his job back or future or front lost compensation and benefits, special damages for emotional and mental stress, anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment and career damage. He also asked for negative tax consequence damages, interest, attorney’s fees, and expenses and any other related costs.
He's seeking more than $150,000 in damages.
Plaintiff is represented by Scott Pollins of Pollins Law in Wayne.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:20-cv-01603-EGS