MARSHALL — An Angelina County general surgeon is suing hospital executives, alleging tortious interference with a contract and conspiracy.
Dr. Frank Walker filed a complaint Jan. 19 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas against Memorial Health System of East Texas, doing business as CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin, Dr. David Bailey and Dr. Hunt Huber, alleging they failed to comply with the Health Care Quality Improvement Act.
According to the complaint, as a result of defendants' tortious acts, Walker, a black physician, has been denied contractual rights and employment opportunities, causing him to suffer lost compensation, inconvenience, mental anguish and emotional distress.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants published disparaging words about Walker's competency to his colleagues and peers, and intentionally deprived him of the same rights as are enjoyed by white professionals.
Walker seeks trial by jury compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages, litigation costs and all other appropriate relief. He is represented by attorneys Laura Reilly O’Hara and Charles “Scott” Nichols of Strasburger & Price LLP in Dallas and Houston, by Russell C. Brown of Henderson, and by J. Mark Mann of Henderson.
Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas Case number 2:17-cv-00066