View Summary
JOHN DOE, Plaintiff-Appellant
vs.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM CORPORATION, et al., Defendants-Appellees.
Click Here to Read the Full Case Summary
Issues:
Americans with Disabilities Act, safety, policy and procedure, HIV.
Case Summary:
John Doe, M.D., a neurosurgical resident at the University of Maryland Medical System Corp., appeals a lower court's ruling in his suit against the medical facility. Senior medical staff at the facility reassigned Doe from surgical procedures after he tested positive for HIV. Doe argued he acquired the disease when he was stuck by a needle that had been used on an infected patient. Doe opposed his reassignment. His residency was terminated. Doe subsequently filed suit, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The university responded with a motion for summary judgment.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted the university's motion for summary judgment. The court ruled that Dr. Doe posed "significant risk" to his patients.
Outcome:
Doe loses. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling. Under the circumstances, the court ruled there was way the hospital could make "reasonable" accommodations that would reduce the risk to patient safety and permit Doe to serve as a surgeon.