Man awarded $21M after getting unnecessary heart procedures

LONDON, Ky. (AP) – A jury has determined that a hospital in London, Kentucky, and its parent company should pay $21.2 million to a Corbin man who received unnecessary heart procedures.

The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/2bcLe8a ) reports that the jury ruled Wednesday that St. Joseph Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives were negligent, violated consumer-protection rules and took part in a conspiracy after performing heart procedures on Kevin Wells.

Wells alleged that the hospital performed the procedures to boost payments from health programs and insurance companies.

Wells’ attorney, Hans Poppe, says a doctor at the hospital recommended Wells get a peacemaker, although other doctors would later say he didn’t need one.

The hospital argued that the treatment Wells received was necessary.

Poppe says the defendants are likely to appeal.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.