Physician wins more than $6.8M retaliation verdict against former employer

A jury has awarded urologist Deborah La Scola, MD, more than $6.8 million in her lawsuit against St. Louis-based SSM Health, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The jury found that the health system retaliated against her after she repeatedly raised concerns about pay disparities between herself and male colleagues.

Dr. La Scola alleged that SSM Health paid male urologists higher rates through emergency department on-call earnings. She also said the health system delayed renewing her contract for 10 months after it had lapsed, even though her male counterparts’ contracts were renewed promptly.

According to the report, Dr. La Scola was terminated without cause in September 2022 and placed on immediate administrative leave. She said she later struggled to find comparable work in St. Louis and ultimately accepted a lower-paying job in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The jury rejected her sex discrimination and Equal Pay Act claims, but sided with her on retaliation. The verdict included $793,000 in lost wages, $285,500 in compensatory damages and $5.75 million in punitive damages.

In a statement to Becker’s, Matt Wagner, SSM Health System’s vice president of communications, said the health system was “very disappointed” with the verdict. He said eight of the plaintiff’s nine claims were dismissed and that the company showed her compensation and employment decisions were made for legitimate, non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory reasons.

Wagner also said SSM Health stands by its mission and values and does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation. He added that the system will seek post-trial relief and appeal the verdict if necessary.

The source did not report any further details about Dr. La Scola’s current employment status or the timing of any post-trial proceedings.