Penn State Health is weighing its options after being slapped with a $5.25 million verdict in the case of a doctor who was fired amid a clash with football coach James Franklin.
On Wednesday, a jury in Dauphin County, Pa., ruled in favor of Dr. Scott Lynch, who sued Penn State Health after being fired in 2019 as medical director for Penn State athletics and as an orthopedic consultant to the team.
“We are extremely disappointed to learn of the jury’s decision, as we continue to believe that the claims in the complaint have no merit,” Penn State Health said in a statement issued Thursday morning. “Penn State Health will soon determine whether it will appeal the decision. Penn State Health and the University remain dedicated to the health and well-being of our student-athletes.”
The jury awarded Lynch $250,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Also named in the lawsuit was Lynch’s supervisor, Dr. Kevin Black.
During the trial, Lynch said he was terminated from both jobs after repeated disagreements with Franklin about the status of injured players. PennLive reported Lynch contended he was fired because he would not “allow a coach to interfere with his medical treatment and return to play decisions,” referring to Franklin.
Penn State Athletics and Franklin initially were named in the lawsuit but were dropped on a technicality.
The jury came to its verdict after a seven-day trial. Franklin, hired in 2014, did not testify.
–Field Level Media
