$25 million award slashed

A West Virginia doctor who filed a defamation case will get less than half the $25 million that was awarded to him.

When Dr. R.E. Hamrick Jr. decided to self-insure against malpractice liability, the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) revoked his privileges. A few days later, under court order, CAMC restored the privileges under court order, but Dr. Hamrick sued, charging that the suspension tarnished his reputation.

In February, a circuit court jury awarded him $5 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages for the hospital's “fraudulent, malicious, and oppressive conduct.” Special Judge Joseph Alsop ruled the jury went too far and slashed the award to $10 million.