Malpractice claims to proceed regardless of bankruptcy
Dr. John A. King, the doctor who filed bankruptcy after 124 malpractice claims were filed against him, has been told by the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge that eight of the 124 claims can go to trial. The eight lawsuits alleging medical malpractice can continue toward trial while he settles his debts in bankruptcy court, Judge Thomas B. Bennett ordered. Each of the eight malpractice claims against King, alleges he made mistakes in surgeries and harmed patients during his six months at Putnam General Hospital. They hired King in November 2002 and suspended his privileges the following May after a review of his work. He later surrendered his West Virginia medical license and left the state. Now living in Alabama, King filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 last month.
