A former nurse at Harris Hospital in Newport has sued the hospital and her doctor alleging that she was left without a job after they discussed her medical condition.
Sandra A. Rogers of Jacksonport said in her lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Jonesboro, that she suffers from multiple sclerosis, emphysema and heart problems and had been treated byDr. Fran Duke.
Rogers, who had been a licensed practical nurse in the emergency room at Harris Hospital, was transferred to Newark Family Surgical Clinic, which is owned by the hospital, in March 2008.
In July 2008, Harris Hospital CEO Chip Camp told Rogers that he was not aware of her medical conditions until after he discussed them with Duke, the lawsuit said.
Camp then said that Rogers' position was being eliminated and she could wait on an opening, take the summer off or receive a severance package, the lawsuit said.
Rogers decided to wait for another opening. Then, Rogers said, she discovered that she had been discharged and severance papers had been prepared.
Rogers alleged that she was fired because of her disabilities and no reasonable accommodations were made for her, which she said was a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. She also charged that if Duke had not violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, she still would have a job, which paid $16.50 an hour.
Rogers wants at least $1 million in damages from the hospital and her old job there back. She also wants an unspecified amount of damages from Duke.
Neither Camp nor Duke could be reached for comment.
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