MDLinxA Kentucky Doctor Who Was Removed from Practice for “Touching His Nose” in an Exam is Awarded Millions by a Jury

Impaired or Not? Jury Favors Physician in Defamation Case, Paving Way for Future Legal Precedence

Amidst allegations of being impaired, a family medicine resident navigated a maelly of accusations, legal procedures, and personal distress only to emerge victorious. The jury’s verdict in this case sets a striking precedent in the landscape of physician rights and employer responsibilities.

Key Points:

• Dr. John M. Farmer, a resident at Baptist Health Madisonville (BHM), was accused of being impaired during a patient exam in 2019, leading to his suspension and signing an agreement to abstain from alcohol or mood-altering drugs for five years.
• Farmer was not informed about the accusation promptly and was not immediately tested for impairment, contrary to BHM’s policies.
• This led to a delayed completion of his residency and a permanent reportable event in the National Practitioner’s Data Bank.
• Farmer filed a lawsuit against BHM in January 2021, alleging breach of contract and interference with future work prospects.
• In 2023, a jury ruled in Farmer’s favor, awarding him $3,736,044, which included compensatory damages for breach of contract and damages for humiliation, emotional distress, and mental anguish.

Additional Points:

• Farmer completed his residency later than initially planned on September 3, 2020.
• The interim agreed order, contract letter, and delayed residency completion date negatively impacted Farmer’s job prospects and earnings potential as a physician.
• Following the ordeal, Farmer is now practicing family medicine in Tennessee.