Whitacre v. Thiele, No. 3:2015cv00030 - Document 62 (W.D. Va. 2017)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 3/20/17. (hnw)

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S CE S. ST I THE UN I N TED STATES D I STRI COU RT GLERK' OFFI U. DI .COURT CT ATK ANOKE, VA FOR TH E W ESTERN D I STRI OF V I GI I CT R NA FIED l CH ARLOTTESV I LLE D I I ON V SI MA2 2 2 2 1 27 L C. UD W 6 - M I I LA A .W H I K A TACR E,Exe ut of c or t Es a e ofJ y A nne Thom a ,de a e he t t o s ce s d, . . ,c RK U ERK Ci lA c i N o.3: 5CV 00030 vi ton 1 Pl i i f a ntf , M EM OM NDUM OPI ON NI Hon. e E.Co a Gln nr d ChifUnie Stt DititJ e td a es src udge ROBERT H.THI ELE,M . . D, Def nda . e nt Joy Anne Thom as,a W es V igi a r dent under entaortcval r acem ents t r ni esi , w i ve epl urgery at t Uni riyofVigi aM e ca Ce e (k c Ce e ' i J nuayof201 Folowi t he ve st r ni di l ntr l Medial ntr' n a r ) 3. l ng he pr e e, Thomas wa ta f r d t t M edial Ce e ' Thor ci Car ovas ul oc dur s r nsere o he c ntr s a c di c ar Pos- rtve(; PO')Uni. A fw ho satrhera va,Tho undewe e r ncy topeai $ TCV- ' t e ur fe ni l mas r nt mege s r er She di d s ve alda l t rduet ne zol gi a c plc tons u g y. e e r ys a e o lr o c l om i a i . M i a a A .W hia r t e c o ofThom a 'e t t ,br kil t c e, he xe ut r s sa e oughtt sm e c lmal a tc hi di a pr c ie a tc a ns Robe tH.Thil ,M . .t ate ng physca r s nsbl f i uba i Thom a c im gai t r e e D , he ' ndi t i in e po i e or nt tng s prort t e e ge y s ge y. W hia r c am st tDr Thil a t d neglg l i pe f mi i o he m r nc ur r t c e l i ha . e e c e i enty n ror ng t i uba i a t tDr Thi e' ne i nc w a t pr m a e ca e of Thom as d t he nt ton, nd ha . el s glge e s he oxi t us ' ea h. Theeh smo dfrs mmayj d me t nt eb sso s v r ini nt Fo t era o ss t il a ve o u r u g n o h a i f o e eg mmu i y, r h e s n e f 'h bel ,t cour w ildeny Dr.Thi e' m oton. ol t ow he t l el s i Whitacre v. Thiele Doc. 62 Backaround The f l i f t a e eihe undi put or pr e ed i t lghtm os f vo a e t t olow ng ac s r t r s ed es nt n he i t a r bl o he pl ntf . See A nders v.Li ry Lobbv.l ,477U. 242, ai if on be t nc. S. 255 ( 986) Li ra in Pa t of 1 ; be tra rv -- - Va v.J 71 F. 308, 3( hCi. 3) . udd, 8 3d 31 4t r 201 . Dockets.Justia.com Dr Thil i boa d c tfe i a she i ogy,c ii lca e a a nc pe i r tve . e e s r erii d n ne t sol rtca r , nd dva ed rope ai ta es ge ec r ns opha al hoca di a .1 He i e oye bybot t Uni r iy ofVigi aSc r ogr phy s mpl d h he ve st r ni hoolof Medii (k dialSc ' a t Uni riy of Vigni Physca Gr p (k iins cne tMe c hool' nd he ve st ) ri a iins ou C physca Gr ),anonpr i c poai or ni dt c di t a dei rpai tcaea t M e c l oup' oft or rton ga ze o oor nae nd lve ten r t he dia Cent r A sa m e be oft f culy oft M e ca School D r Thi l st i a' r s e. m r he a t he di l , . e e' l m l e pons biiy i pr y i lt s t e ge i t a de i pur uis of t ac ng, r s a c a o he s hol ry a tvii . o nga n he ca m c s t e hi e e r h, nd t r c a l c i tes' ' Em pl ym e A gr em e a 1 Docke N os 26- & 58- A s a e pl e of t Phys c a o nt e nt t , t . 1 7. n m oye he i i ns Gr oup,D r Thi l as it t c or ton i éisf ni hi ofpr e s o lhe lh c e s r c s t . e e s s s he op a i n kt ur s ng of s i na a t ar e vi e o pa int i t ... e c lCe e a i a flaed hos t l a clni s' 1 C wihsa ng te s n he M di a ntr nd n fiit pia s nd i c . d. ' ' Not t t ndi s c e l y n , Dr Th eerman fe t e e cs hi o j d me ta t te ipp o rae u h mp o me t' . il e is r e o x rie s wn u g n s o h s r p it ' a h at aet bern ee (oa p te t' I .s eas Tro 1 / 92 6De o Dr Th eea 1 , e l r o e d r d t l ain . d ; e lo . f 12 / 01 p. f . il t 4 hc ' Do k t 5 - (Cp o iec r wo kn a aUPG ( y iinsGr u ci iinb s do wha I c e No. 8 2 $ r vd ae r ig s 1 Ph sca o pl lnca a e n t bele i i t beti ee t oft paint'. ive s n he s ntrss he te .) ' The Phys c a G r up hol is l o a a s i i ns o ds t e f ut s uppori or ni ton di tnc f om t tng ga za i si t r he U ni r iy ofVi gi a a t M e ca Ce e .2 The bus nes a a f r oft Phys c a Gr ve s t r ni nd he di l nt r i s nd f ais he i i ns oup a e m a ged b a boa d ofdi e t r . The Phys ci ns Gr a s ha is own c e of i er ,a i r na y r rcos ia oup l o s t hi f fc s nd t m ai ai a s pa a e hum a r s ce de r m e . The Phys c a Gr p bil pa i nt die ty nt ns e r t n e our s pa t nt i i ns ou ls te s r c l f t e t e pr ded by is phys ci ns The physi ans's ar es cons s oft com ponent a or r a m nt ovi t ia . ci al i i t wo s: ba e s l r pa d by t M edi a Sc l a an a to l va i bl s a y pa d f om r ve s aa y i he c l hoo nd ddii na r a e al r i r e nue 1Th c r tke j diiln tc o i o main pu lcy a albl o t we iemanane byt e ou t a s u ca o ie f nfr to bil v ia e n he bst iti d he U ni st ofVigi aH e t Syse . ver iy r ni alh t m 2 Se hlp:/ ww .up vr nae ua o t (a t stdMac 2 , 7 . e /w g.igii.d /b uus ls vii e rh 0 201 ) ge aed by t Physca Gr .3 The phys c a a e a s pr de pr es i ner t he i ins oup i i ns r l o ovi d of s onal la lt i biiy cover t ough t Pi ontLi lt Tr t. age hr he edm abiiy us The Phys c a Gr up w a pr vi l known a t Uni r iy ofV i g ni H e 1h Se v c s i i ns o s e ousy s he ve s t r i a at r i e Foundai (Tou to '. TheFoundain wa ce tdi 1 ton ' ndain' ) to s rae n 979. On De e c mber31 1 l t , 98 ,he Founda i e e e i t t s o pha eofa a fla i a e ntwih t Re t rand Viior ton nt r d n o he ec nd s n fiiton gr eme t he c o st s o t Uni riy of Vigi a (i vest ),whi dei ae t rs i lte of t f he vest r ni d uni riy' ch lne td he e ponsbiiis he Founda i a t Uni r iy. The co r c i pa te a e d,among ot rt ngs t t t ton nd he ve st nta tng ri s gr e he hi , ha he Founda i wo d ( ovi prm a y a c uli pa int ca e s r ce t M edial Ce e ton ul i pr de i r nd ons tng te r e vi s o c ntr patent,...a t pa i sa s h ot rl tonsasm a be ag e t fom tm et tm ebyt i s nd o tent t uc he ocai y r ed o r i o i he Founda i a t U ni r iy, a t tt U ni r iy woul i a t t Founda i t rghtt ton nd he ve st ' nd ha he ve s t ' d û nt o he gr ton he i o us c t i Uni er iy pr m i e ...a t e pm e l a e t r i 'a a ag e de era n v st e s s nd he qui nt oc t d he e n' t n r e upon c t os . A f ii to A gr e e a 5- Doc t N o. 26- Th co r c i pa tes a s a e t t fla i n e m nt t 7, ke 2. e nt a tng ri l o gr ed ha physc a woul be e pl d by bot t Uni r iy a t Fot ton,a t t pa tof a ii ns d m oye h he ve st nd he mdai nd ha r physc a s c ii n' ompe aton woul be de i d fom hi e oym e by t Founda i ns i d rve r s mpl nt he ton. The y f t r a e t t t Uni r iy wo d ha l la lt or r s i lt wha s ve wih urhe gr ed ha he ve st ul ve k ibiiy no e ponsbiiy toe r t r pe tt t cond ta o r ton oft a tvii st be c es c o he uc nd pe a i he ci te o onduc e by t Founda i i t td he ton n he as i d s e, a t tt Foundai n wo d 'i mniy a hol t Uni r iy ha m l s sgne pac ' nd ha he ' to ul ûnde f nd d he ve st r es a ans ..,a y ij r t o d ah o a y p ro ,ta ma b c u e b o aieo to .. t gi t n nu y o r e t f n es n h t y e a s d y r rs u f . he c onduc oroperto oft Foundaton' a tviisgr anyac ofa age .. oft Foundai t ain he i s ci te o j t ny nt . he ton i ora t asi d s cegj' I a 11 1 n bout he sgne pa .' d. t - 2. 3Ac o d n t t epli tf t r e ffh o Dr Th e ess lr i p i fo r v n g n r t d b t e c r i g o h a n it h e -it s f . i l ' a a y s a d r m e e ue e e a e y h PhyscansGr ii oup. Efe tve Augus l 2011 t Fo fci t , , he unda i c nged is na e t t Physcins Gr ton ha t m o he ia oup. Pur ua t t A m e s nt o he nded a Res a e Byl w s oft Clni lSt f oft U ni r iy ofV igi a nd t td a he i ca a f he ve st r ni M e c lCen e , hi h w er r vi e on M a 21 201 Dr Thi l a o he phys ci ns e pl d di a tr w c e e sd y , 2, . e e nd t r i a m oye by t Physc a Gr a e gr nt d prvie s asmembe s oft ci c lsa foft M e c l he ii ns oup r a e i l ge r he lnia t f he di a Ce e . Clnia sa f me r a e r quied t s r s r i nt pa tci tng i t nt r i c l tf mbe s r e r o upe vie esde s ri pa i n he Uni r iy' Gr duae M e c l Educai p ogr m . They a e alo r quie t a de by t ve st s a t di a ton r a r s e r d o bi he C lni a St f Byl w s t M e ca Ce e Polc M a l a al o he M e ca Ce erpolc es i c l a f a , he di l nt r i y nua , nd 1 t r di l nt ii , r l ,a r ul tons a i a e t c i c s a f m e be s H ow e r a e m e s be wee t u es nd eg a i pplc bl o lni al t f m r. ve , gr e nt t n he Physci ns G r p a t M edi a Ce e ex e sy pr de t t ' he Phys ci ns Gr and is ia ou nd he c l nt r pr s l ovi ha t t ia oup t phys c a e pl esa e inde nde c r t s w ih r pec t t M e ca Ce e ,' ha t e i i n m oye r i pe nt ontac or ' t es t o he di l nt r' t t her i no 'e pl rem pl s t m oye / oyee r l tons p,' a t t ç he M edi l Ce e doe not con r t e a i hi ' nd ha d t ca nt r s t ol he l p o e so a j d me t f h Ph sca sGr u o isp y iine ly e . P1' Supp' Ex.D at r fsi n lu g n o t e y iin o p rt h sca mpo e s' .s ' 3,D oc tN o. 4. ke 58J A nne Thom a w a r er e t t U ni r iy o V igi a H e r a V a cul r Ce e oy s s ef r d o he ve st f r ni a t nd s a nt r (kla'a Va c a Ce e' by a physca i W i hese,Vigi a. She wasa c ptd asa i-e l nd s ulr ntr' l t ) iin n nc tr r ni ce e prvat l i ur d pa i nt b J i e y ns e te y ohn A . Ke n, M . . n e pl r D ,a m oyee of t Phys c a Gr he i i ns oup w ho pr i att H eartand Vas arCent Thom a unde w e tao tc va ve r pl ce e ts ge y actces he cul er. s r n r i l e a m n ur r on J anuar 25,2013. y Folow i t s ge y,Thom a wast a f r e t t TCV - Uni. Att tm e ofhe l ng he ur r s r ns e r d o he PO t he i r ta f r D r Thi l was w or ng i t TCV - Uni as t a t ndi i e i s ,4 H e r ns e , . e e ki n he PO t he te ng nt ns vi t w as a s g d t w or i t tuni by J. i ha lJ e r M . . a t rm e be oft Phys c a Gr up. s i ne o k n ha t M c e a ge , D , no he m r he i i ns o 4 An i ensviti alo known a a û ii lcar docor'' Bha v.B a te Cr H ealh Sys,579 F. nt i s s s s ç tca- e t . cr n tl eek t . Ap x4 , 4 ( t Ci. 4 . p' 38 4 0 6h r 201 ) 4 A s t a t ng i t ns vi t Dr Thi e di no ha t di cr t o t dec i t as i t Thom as he tendi n e i s , . el d t ve he s e i n o lne o s s w he he c ton de lne a s r qui e e e ge y t e t e . Dr Thi l utlz d t n r ondii c i d nd he e r d m r nc r a m nt . e e ii e he e pm e pr d by t M e c lCe e t i uba e Thom as a m oniort i uba i qui nt ovi ed he di a nt r o nt t nd t he nt ton. H e w a no as it d by a r s de s s t sse ny e i nt . Thom a di d on Fe u r 1 201 He de t ce ttc t i ntfe t c us ofdeah as s e br a y , 3. r a h rii a e de ii s he a e t t no cb anij r 'd t S s p a e l nu ain. Co . t 2 , c e No. . c xi ri nu y' ue o k o h g a it b to ' mpla ! 0 Do k t 1 a e ' ProceduralH i oa st On J y 3 201 O l n Thom as t orgi le u orof Thom as esa e,fl a m edi a ul 0, 3, a , he i na xec t ' t t ied cl m a pr c i e a ton a i t D r Thi l i t Cic t Co ' f t Ciy of Cha l t s le. l a tc c i ga ns . e e n he r ui ul or he t t r ote vil The ea t r M i a a W hia r wa s bs iut d a pe s lr pr s nt tve o t es a e. The ac i n r fe , ki l t c e s u tt e s r ona e e e a i f he t t to wasuli a el nons t pr ort ti l tm t y uied i o r a . W hia r c m e e t i t nta ton on J 26,201 Thr e wee bef e t c os t c e om nc d he ns a c i une 5. e ks or he l e of di co r de e e c s ve y, f ns ouns l a s pl i if s c e dvied a ntf ' ouns l t Dr Thi l i e d t r i e t e hat . e e nt nde o a s he de e e ofs r gn i m uniy, e o t Supr m e Cour ofV igi a' r ce dec s on i Pi f ns ove ei m t bas d n he e t r ni s e nt i i n ke v Ha a n, 7SE.d 8 ( . 01 ) Pro t t t i ,hed fns h dn tb e r ie . c ma 78 . 2 9 Va 2 6 . ir o ha tme t ee e a o e n as d. Dr T ees b e u n l mo e f rs mmayj d me t nteb ss fs v rini nt . hil u s q e ty v d o u r u g n o h a i o o eeg mmu i y. l oppos ng t m oto W hia r a g t ts ha notha a n i he i n, t c e r ued ha he d d dequa e tm e t co t i o nduc di c y t s over r e ntt t dee e. Thec t l ahe rngo t motonfrs elva o he fns our hed a i n he i o umma yj me onAugus r udg nt t 22,201 I a s eque or r e e ed o Se e be 1,201 t co tt t m oto unde 6. n ubs nt de nt r n pt m r 6, he ur ook he in r ad s e ,and ga t pa te untlDe m be 1,201 t c viem nt ve he ri s i ce r 6 o onduc addii ldi c r on t t tona s ove y he i ssue of sover gn i m uniy. Folow i t conduct of addii ei m t l ng he tonal di scover t pm i t ed y, he es il suppl ent brefsi supportoft rr pectve posii em al i n hei es i tons, The m ateri now ri f r ew . t s pe or evi St andar ofRe e d vi w Rul 56 of t Fe r Rul s of Ci lPr e e pe m is a pa t t m ove f s m a y e he de al e vi oc dur r t ry o or um r j d me t $ c u t hal rn s mmayj d me t fhemo a t ho ta teei n g nun u g n . ; o r s lg a t u r u g n i t The v n s ws h th r s o e ie d s uea t a mae ilfc a dtemo a ti e tte t j d me t samatr lm ' Fe R. ip t s o ny tra a t n h v n s n i d o u g n a l t of a ' d. e Ci P. 6 a , I de ii gwh t e t g a t s mmayj d me t to , h c u t t iw t e v. 5 () n cd n eh r o rn a u r u g n moin t e o r mus v e h r co d i t lghtm os f vor bl t t no m ovi pa t a dr alr as bl i e e esi e r n he i t a a e o he nng ry, nd aw 1 e ona e nf r nc n he f vor A nde s 477 U . a 255,Li na i n P/ t ofV a. 718 F. a 31 ra . r on, S. t . be ra ry , 3d t 2, Di scussi on l mo i g f r s mma y j d me t Dr Thee man ans t a Vigna s d crn o n v n o u r u g n , . il iti h t r ii' o tie f s ve e g i m uniy pr ec s hi f om la lt f t a l d a t o neg i nc 5 I r pons , o rin m t ot t m r i biiy or he lege c s f lge e. n es e t pli ifa gue t tDr Thi l wa not tngasa e oye oft Comm onwe 1ha t tm e he a ntf r s ha . ee s aci n mpl e he at t he i hete t d Thom a ,a t ,ha hei e l rae s nd, hus t t s xcudedfom t pr e ton ofs r gn i uniy. For r he ot c i ove ei mm t t f l w i r s , he co tc ude t tge ne i s sof m a e i lf c e s r ar ng t he olo ng ea ons t ur oncl s ha nui s ue t ra a t xit eg di he na ur a s pe ofDr Thi l se pl m e , t tt e f t ldipu espr c ude t e r of t e nd co . e e' m oy nt and ha hes ac ua s t el he nt y s mmayj g n i Dr Thil' fvo . u r ud me t n . ees a r I V i gi a, he doc r ne ofs ve e g i m uniy r m a ns(ç lve a w e l'' Gr v.Va. n r ni t ti o rin m t e i ia i nd l.' ay Sec' ofTrns ,662 S. 2d66,70( 2008 (uoi Mesi v.Bur n,321S. 2d657,660 y a p. E. Va. ) q tng sna de E. ( 1 4). ThedocrneSsk r eo s ilpolc whihpr e t t saefom bur ns Va. 98 ) ti k a ul f oca iy, c otcs he tt r i de ome i e f r nc w ih t pe f m a of is gove m e alf tons a pr er s is c r ove nt r e e e t he r or nce t nl nt unc i nd es ve t ont ol r saef ,prpe t a i tume aii .' 1 ( tngHi he v.Ocde 3 S. 2 8 , tt unds o ry, nd nsr ntltes'' d. quoi nc v n, 07 E.d 91 5 Bec et sf alac i i ba edupondi r iy ofctze hi , t cour mus a yt s tntve aus hi eder ton s s ve st ii ns p he t t ppl he ubsa i l oft f um sa e i udi isc c ofl r e Li bac Co. LLC v.Zurc Am .I .Co. 396 F. aw he or tt , ncl ng t hoie aw uls. m h , ih ns , 3d 35 ,361(t Ci.2 0 ) Th p risa re t tVigna lw go en te n gi nc cam a sre b t 8 4h r 0 5 . e a t g e ha r ii a v r s h e l e li setd y he e ge pl ntf. ai if 89 ( .1 ). I o de f t p pos oft docrnet bef ly r aied,t i 4 Va 983) n r r or he ur es he ti o ul e lz he mmuniy t afor d by t docti i notlmied s el t t e sa e At ns v.Sac f de he rne s i t ol y o h tt . ki on hno,5 S. 2d 90 41 E. 2, 904 ( 2001) Thedocrneas ap i t ts mepe ewhohel r t govenme ...f Va. . ti lo ples o io opl p un he r nt or t s a e c n onl a tt ough i vi l .' M es i 3 S. 2d a 661 he t t a y c hr ndi dua s ' s na, 21 E. t . ûfhe de e m i ton t ta pariulri vi li e il t t pr eci n ofs egn û' t r na i ha tc a ndi dua s ntted o he ot to over i i m uniy f e nty i ve uni ue f c ua co i r i whe t ti vi li a phys c a ' m t r que l nvol s q a t l ns de atons n ha ndi dua s i i n. ' At ns 541S. 2da 904(iatonso te . l J me v. a 282S. 2d864( 1 ,he ki on, E. t ct i mitd) n a s J ne, E. Va. 980)t Su e e Cour ofV igi a k t bls d a f - r t s t de e m i w he he aphys c a w ho w a pr m t r ni t a i he our pa t e t o t r ne es t r i in s a e pl e oft Com m o e t w a e tted t t pr t c i of s r i n i m uniy.' 1 n m oye he nw alh s n il o he o e ton ove e g m t ' d. (ii J mes 541S. 2da 869) Si eJmeswa decde t Su e Co tha a ple t t ctng a , E. t . nc a s i d,he prme ur s p id ha t ti a num be ofm e ca m al r c i e c es i l ng Pi v. a m a t prm a y dec son on es n r di l p a tc as , nc udi ke H ga n, he i r ii whi h Dr Thi l r le . I Pi ,t Supr m e Cour conc ude bas on is as e s e of t c . e e e i s n ke he e t l d, ed t s s m nt he f J e f c o s t t a r gi t r nur e e pl yed by t V igi a Com m onwea t U ni r iy our am s a t r , ha e s e ed s m o he r ni lh ve st Hea t Sys e A ut iy, a i t u e a iy of t s a e,w a e il d t s r i n i m uniy. 1h tm hort n ns r m nt lt he t t s ntte o ove e g m t Pi 787S. 2da 9 s eas i a 91 94( i t tt saehos tlpada1ofHa ma s ke, E. t 4; e lo d. t , notng ha he tt pia i l ga n' wa e , ndd tr n dhe s h d l a dwh t rs ec udtk la ) Va Co ej2312 01A) g s a eemie r c e ue n ehe h o l a e e ve; . d .- 4 ( (i he Vigi a Co ir r ni mmonwe t Uni riy Heat Syse Auhort i e tbls d a a publc a1h vest 1h tm t iy s sa ihe s i b d c po ae p bl isr me tl y a dp l ia s b viino teCo n at . .'. o y o r t, u i n tu n ai , n oi c l u di so f h mmo we 1h . .) c t t ' l ea h oft br e s tl d i s n c he i f i e n uppor oft pe ng m oton,D r Thi l pr e dsunde t t he ndi i . e e oc e r he as um pton t tt J m es t s g r hi pl a of s ve e gn i m uniy. H ow e r be us D r s i ha he a e t ove ns s e o ri m t ve , ca e . Thi e m ai ai dualem pl entw ih t M edi Schooland t Phys ci Gr el nt ns oym t he cal he i ans oup,t cour he t m us fr t addr t i ue of w het he was an em pl t is ess he ss her oyee of t Com m onw ealh w ho was he t oper tng wihi t s ai t n he cope ofhi sae e oyme i pe f m i t a t c s t t mpl nt n ror ng he c s ompl ne ofby t ai d he pli if TheSuprmeCou tofVigi ahasmadece rt tt tgq iai oft J me t t antf. e r r ni la ha he tapplc ton he a s es .. . pr uppos st tt physcin s e ngt pr e ton ofs r i i es e ha he i a e ki he otc i ove e gn mmuniy i a e pl eor t s n m oye ag toft Com monweat ' At ns 541 S. 2d a 90 05. St t dif r nty,t t s d s en he lh.' ki on, E. t 4aed fe e l he e t d i nota i bl i t i vi ua i a i pe ntco r c o a t ,nota e pl e ora ntof pplca e f he ndi d l s n nde nde nt a t r nd, hus n m oye ge t Co he mmonwe lh. Js s e as M c os y v.Ka 604 S, 2d 59,62 & n. ( 2004) at ' - * e lo cl ke ' (, ne, E. 2 Va. ( s ng,wihoutde i ng,hathedee ntphyscinwa a e oye oft CO asumi t cdi t t fnda - i a s n mpl e he mmonwe 1h at butnonehel shol ng t the wasno enild t s rin i t es di ha t tte o oveeg mmuniy unde t J t r he amests) e t. Thi i be us ta l i pe nt c t a t s a e e l d' f om t pr e ton of s r i s s ca e ' l nde nde on r c or r xc ude ' r he ot c i ove e gn i uniy,At ns 541 S. 2d a 905,as i co uc unde tke outi t s ope of sa e mm t ki on, E. t s nd t ra n sde he c tt e oy nt Tomln v.M c nze 468 S. 2d 88 88 ( .1 ;s e as M e sna 321 mpl me . i Ke i, E. 2, 5 Va 996) e lo si , S. 2d a 660 (t1n a yi t Jme ts,t frtquesi i whehe J ms wor fra E. t kL1 ppl ng he a s e t he is ton s t r ol on ks o n i mmunebody.) '. ' Ac or ngy,t fr ti s t tmus be de i d i whe he Dr Thi e wa a tng a an c di l he is s ue ha t c de s t r . el s c i s e pl e oft s a e a t tm e het e t d Thom as Ther ol i oft s q s i i ge a l a m oye he t t t he i rae . es uton hi ue ton s ner ly q e t no f c f r u y. At n o 5 S. 2 a 9 5 lc nb d cd da amatr f1w o y u si f a t o aj r o kis n, 41 E.d t 0 . t a e e ie s te o a nl û nkheevi nceadmisofbutonec ncusona' 1 ( i Hade dv. e c- Lt ,377 k whe t de t o l i '' d.quotng e M di 24, d. S. 2d58 594- ( 1 ). Ba e o t c rntrcod,hec tsuna et c l t t E. 9, 95 Va. 989) s d n he ure e r t our i bl o oncude ha t sca epr en ss h a que ton ofl , uc l sone t tca b de ded i D r Thi l sf vora hi s es t uc si aw m h es ha n e ci n . e e' a t t s s a oft pr ee ngs hi t ge he oc di . A ss m a i d a um rze bove,Dr Thi e i ,a was a al r l va tm e ,e pl d by bo h t . el s nd t l e e nt i s m oye t he M edi Schooland t Phys ci G r cal he i ans oup,t l t of whi pr des patentcar ser ces t he ater ch ovi i e vi o M e c l Ce t r pa i n s l i undi put t t t M e c l Sc di a n e te t . t s s ed ha he di a hool a t M e c Ce e a e nd he di al nt r r 8 a nci oft Comm o ge es he nweat Sç Re t & Viio soft Uni ofVa. Ca tr 591 S. 2d lh. e c or st r he v. v. re , E. 76,78( .2004)(û a a nc oft Commo at UVA i e ildt s veeg i Va C n ge y he As nwe 1h, s ntte o o rin mmuniy t unde t c r he ommon lw a e a expes c tt i lorsaut ypr sont t c rr ') a bsnt n r s onsiutona tt or ovii o he ontay. ; ' Va. Codej23.- 1 B)( sgnai t M e ca Ce e a da age yoft Commonwe t ), 122 2( de i tng he di l ntr s dn nc he alh' W hie Dr Thi l s m a iy a g t tt Phys c ansGr up i a s e il d t s r i t s a e' l . e e um z l r ues ha he ii o s l o ntte o ha e n he t t s i nt 6 a ra o a 1 j r c ud fn t a t e P y iin Gr u a d is e o e ae mmu i y, e s n b e uy o l i d h t h h sca s o p n t mplye s r i pende c r t sf rwhiht do ti ofs r i n i muniy i unaval bl Li wie a nde nt ontacor o c he c rne ove e g m t s ia e. ke s , ra o a l j r c ud tn ta Dr Theesalg da t o n g ie c weep ro me o tiete e s n b e u y o l i d h t . il' le e cs f e lg n e r ef r d usd h s pe ofhi e oyme wih t M e ca Sc . Untlt s unde l ng f t diput a e co s mpl nt t he di l hool i he e ryi acual s es r r ol d,t c ti una e t dee m i whehe Dr Thi e i e ild t s r gn i muniy es ve he our s bl o tr ne t r . el s ntte o ove ei m t unde J m esv. a 7 r a J ne. Tur ng fr t o t r a i hi be wee t Phys c a Gr a t Com m o a1h, he ni is t he el tons p t n he i i ns oup nd he nwe t t Supr m e Cour ofV i g ni hasi ntfe f f t sr e ntt t de e m i ton ofwhe he t e t ri a de ii d our ac or el va o he t r na i t r he r ai hi i o ofa a ntora i pe ntco rco , Thos fcor a e: 1 Cel to a eltons p s ne n ge n nde nde nta tr e a t s r ( )' ecin nd s enga me ' ()S me ofcompe ai '()C rofdimis l'a ( é rt contol ge nt' 2 t > ' pay nt ns ton''3 t 7 powe s sa'' nd 4) t , powe o r t wor ' At ns 541S. 2da 905. ûl i wel esa ihe t tt f t f c or t powe he k. ' ki on, E. t dt s l tbls d ha he ourh a t , he r ofco r , sde e mi tve. 1 ntol i t r nai ' d. ' 6 See Def' Br i Repo s t PlsS p lBr 2 Do ke No. (;T1 eUVA Me ia Ce trUVA . s .n s n e o . u p' . , c t 61 d h ' ( dc l ne, is l a d UPG (h P y i a sGr u jaeali n a e ce ,s Plitf e frst c f s De e a ts tef n te h scin o p r l mmu e g n is o anifs fo t o on u e fnd n ' empl e ar ir evantt hi enttementt s ei i oym nt e rel o s il o over gn mmuniy. UVA i t Commonweat The UVA t s he 1h. M e c l ne i t Co dia Ce tr s he mmon at UPG i t eCo n at ' (mp a i o te . we l h. s h mmo we lh.) e h ss mitd) ' 1Th c u tn tsta wh te ad fn a ti p oe tdb s eegn i ni i aû etono lw. e o r oe h t eh r ee d n s r tce y ov ri mmu t s ku si f a ' y ' Com m onw eat e rlFarHo s Bd. . i s rPlz Co o As ', 8S. 2 79 8 ( . 01 ) Ho v r lh x e. i u . v W nd o a a nd . sn 76 E.d , 9 Va 2 4 . we e , t def epr ent û si is off t'whih mus bepr n byt palyas eri t def e. Pi 787 he ens es s t tnct s ues ac ' c di t ove he ' s tng he ens t ke, - - S. 2da 9 (iaina ditr lq oai mak o te ) E. t 2 ctto n nena u tton r s mi d . t 9 Vi ngt r or i t lghtm os f a et t pl ntf, hec tc l st tt ewi he ec d n he i t avorbl o he ai if t our onc ude ha he e de er iesatibl i s off c ast whehe t PhyscinsGr i a age ore oye of vi nc a s ra e s ue a t o t r he ia oup s n nt mpl e t Com m onw e lh, o he a t as ppos d t a i pe ntc r t . The Physci nsGr i a s pa a e e o n nde nde ontac or ia oup s e r t a ditnc c por ton, whi h e oys t physca who wo k a t M ed c l Ce e . nd si t or a i c mpl he i ins r t he ia nt r A lhoug t ch ca l a nonp o i o ga z ton, ti undi put d t tt Phys c a Gr up ge r t t h e ni ly r f t r ni a i i s s e ha he i i ns o ne a es e e i r nue t ti us d,a l a ti pa t t com pe at is e pl s. Se Uni ofV a. xt ns ve eve ha s e t e s n r, o ns e t m oyee e v. He 1h Sevs Found.v.Mori,657 S. 2d 51 5 ( 2008)( di t tt Foundai at r . rs E. 2, 22 Va. hol ng ha he ton i r t lke apr iabl c t a es i ope oft e omm e c a busne swih e e i r ve a as e s'a t ,i r i l i s t xtnsve e nue nd s t' nd, hus s t i i mmunefom t tla lt unde t docrneofc rtbl i not r or ibiiy r he ti haia e mmuniy' . M orove,lkea t' ) e r i ny ot r c por ton,t bus ne s a a f i s of t Physci ns Gr up a e m a ed by a bo r of he or a i he i s nd f a r he ia o r nag ad die t s a t or ni a i hasisow n c efo f c r . r c or , nd he ga z ton t hi f i e s I hi va i bre s Dr Thil m a smuc oft f c t tphyscinse o d by t n s rous i f , . ee ke h he a t ha i a mplye he Physcins Gr a e r quie t f l polc e a pr ed es e t bls d by t M edia ia oup r e r d o olow ii s nd oc ur sa ihe he cl Ce e . Exitngpr c ntm a sc e r howe r t tt sf c i notdipostve pa tc a l i nt r si e ede ke l a , ve , ha hi a t s s ii , riulry n tec s o p y iin wh mus e ecs t ero p oe so a j d me twh nte t pains h a e f h sca s o t x rie h i wn r fsin l u g n e r ai te t. ng Fori t e, n A t ns t Supr m e Cour ofVigi a c i r d w he he a lce e phys c a nsanc i ki on, he e t r ni ons de e t r i ns d iin who c r c ed w ih a s a e age y t s r a ac ula phys c a w asa e pl e ora tof ont a t t tt nc o e ve s ons t nt ii n n m oye gen t Co m onw e lh. A t ns 5 S. 2d a 902. A lho h t phys ci n was r ui e t he m at ki on, 41 E. t t ug he ia eq r d o a rt û dhe e o k e ous r gul to ,pr ocol ,a pr e es'i pe f ng t e m i t o a num r e a i ns ot s nd oc dur ' n r onni he xa na i ns nd t sss e t oughtby t a nc t Cour f und t tt y di notcons iut c r by t s a e a nc he ge y, he to ha he d tt e ontol he t t ge y of t m e ns a m e hods b w hi h t phys c an pe f m e t e m i tons a t t . l a he a nd t y c he ii r or d he xa na i nd es s d. t 906. l ta t rc de tbls dt tt physca execsdhi ownç of sonaludgment nse d,he e or sa ihe ha he iin rie s ' esi j pr i m aki t m edi as m ent of a partcul cl m ant s condii i or t accur el n ng he cal sess s i ar ai ' ton n der o at y 10 pr oducet r por rquese byghea ncy . L TheCou tuli tl hed, amatroflw, he e t e td t ge j' i ' r tmaey l as te a t t t phys c a w as a i pe nt con r c or a no a e pl ha he iin n nde nde t a t , nd t n m oyee or a nt of t ge he Comm onweat L. 1h. d s Si lry,i Og mial n unde v.Prs He 1h Ser c .l ,645 S. 2d 520 ( 2007) t ion at vies nc. E. Va. , he Supr eme Cour of Vigi a he d,a a mat r of lw,t ta c t r ni l s te a ha ompa t t c r ctd wih t ny ha onta e t he Vigi a De rme ofCoreci ($ r ni pa t nt r tons $ VDOC' t pr d medialsr ie t i tsa sae ' o ovie ) c e vc s o nmae t tt c rci or e tonalce t r w as a i pe ntc r t ,r t rt n V DO C ' ag nt a t r o e not ne s n nde nde ontac or a he ha S e , nd he ef r e il d t s r g i m uniy. O c ntte o ove ei n m t unde,645 S. 2d a 525. l r c ng isde i i t Cour E. t n ea hi t c s on, he t em phasze t t alhough t c por ton and is e pl ye s w e e r qui e t r nde m e c l i d ha t he or a i t m o e r e r d o e r di a s r i esi ac or nce wih polc e f e v c n c da t i i s onuul t d b V DO C, i a ual or t be pe f ae y ( he ct w k o t r onned unde r t ec n rc - tern e igo me ia sr ie t imae -r man e qu d rt ec nr lo g e h o ta t h e d rn f dc l evc s o n ts e i gd n e h o to f t h c ompa .' I a 52 nyl' d. t 4. l t i c s ,a i Ati o a d Og nd ,a r a o a ej y c ud e sl fn ta te n hs a e s n kns n n u e e s n bl ur o l a i i d h t h y pr vii n ofpate ca e s r c a t M edi a Ce e r m a nsundert c r oft Phys c ans o so i nt r e vi es t he c l nt r e i he ont ol he ii Gr u ,a d ta isp y iin e ecs t ero p o e so a j d me ti te tn t eM e ia o p n h t t h sca s x rie h i wn r f sin l u g n n r ai g h dc l Ce e ' pai nt. I ee a e m e s bewe n t Physcins Gr a t M e c lCe e nt rs te s nd d, gr e nt t e he ia oup nd he di a nt r e e sy pr de t t'he Physc a Gr up a is physc a e pl s a e çnde nde xpr s l ovi ha t t ii ns o nd t ii n m oyee r i pe nt c r c o s wih r s c t t M e c lCe e , andt tkheM e c lCe e do notc r lt onta t r ' t e pe t o he di a nt r' ' ha k t di a ntr es onto he p o e so a j dg n o t ePh sca sGr u o i p y iine ly e . Pl' S p l D a r fs in lu me t f h y iin o p rt h sca mpo e s' .s u p'Ex. t s ' 3,se alo Tr of 1129/ 6 De ofDr Thil a 1 (k pr de c r woki a a UPG 'e s . / 201 p. . ee t 4 iI ovi ae r ng s ( i a Gr Physcins ouplclni a ba e on wha Ibeive i i t bes itr t oft paint'. i cin s d t le s n he t neess he te .) ' A l t sam e lnes,t af ii i agr entbet een t Uni siy and t Physi an Gr s ong he i he flaton eem w he ver t he ci oup' predecess expr l pr des t t cor aton i r ponsi e f provi ng patent car or ess y ovi hat he por i s es bl or di i e 11 s r c s t pa int of t M e ca Ce e ,a t t t Uni r iy k ha lha no la lt or e vi e o te s he di l nt r nd ha he ve st ' l ve s ibiiy r ponsbiiy whas eve wih r s t t t co es i lt t o r t e pec o he nduc a ope ai n of t aci te t be t nd r to he tvii s o co ucedbyt gor r to i t asi ds ce' AfiitonAg e me a 1l 1 Ont s nd t he c po ainl n he sgne pa . flai ' r e nt t - 2. hi rc r , j r c udr a o a l f dt a t ePh sca Gr u a dise ly e aeid p nd n e o d a u y o l e s n by i h t h y iins o p n t mpo e s r n e e e t n c r c or , nd nota nt oft M e c lCe e ort Uni r iy. Ac or ngl a t ssa of onta t s a ge s he di a nt r he ve st c di y, t hi t ge t pr ee ngs t co ti una e t a ce D r Thi e' a gu e t tt Phys c a G r ( s he oc di , he ur s bl o c pt . el s r m nt ha he i i ns oup d i t Com m on e t ' he w alh. ' Thecou tmus as rjctDr Thil sar me t thi e oyme wih t Medial r t lo ee . ee' gu nt ha s mpl nt t he c Sc hool e il s hi t s r gn i m uniy a a m a t r of l w . The m e e f t t t one of D r ntte m o ove ei m t s te a r ac ha . Thi e' e pl r i a s a e age y i notdi pos tve. The r or m us al o esabls t thew a el s m oye s s t t nc s s ii ec d t s t i h ha s ope a i wihi t s ope ofhi sa e e oymen i pe f mi t a scompl ne ofby t r tng t n he c s t t mpl t n ror ng he ct ai d he pli if 5e Tomln,468 S. 2d at 885 ( i t t c antf. e i E. notng ha onduc outi t s ope of sae t sde he c tt e oyme i no pr ecedbys ri i mpl nt s t ot t oveegn mmuniy) t. The c ' tnds t Supr me Cour of Vigi a' de ii n i Be a i v.Uni r iy oul i t he e t r ni s c so n nim n ve st I enal e cneFoundai 49 S. 2d651( 1 i tuci c t spoi . l t tcae, ntr M dii ton, 2 E. Va. 997)nsr tve m hi nt n ha s a fmal paintdidafe r evi te t n a M e ca Cole ofVigi a(1 CV' Hos t ' e e te e tr ec i ng r ame t t di l lge r ni û M ' pials ) Epiodi Ca eClni (k '. Be a n, 2 S. 2da 651. Thead nitaoroft paints s c r i ci ECC' ) nimi 49 E. t mi srt he te ' esae fld s ta i tJ i Ann Sa u s M . ,t me c ldie t oft S t t ie ui gans ule m el, D. he dia r cor he ' ECC, a t ' nd he ' Uni riy ltr Medii Foundai (i M F',a nonpr i c vest nenal cne ton $U1 ' ) ott oporto oga z f t ain r nied or he pr va e pr tc ofm edi i by f culy i M CV ' l t r lM e c ne D e r m e . l a 651 653. i t ac i e c ne a t n S n e na di i pa t nt d. t , D r Sa uel fl a pl of s r i n i m uniy, whi h was s t i d by t ti l cour. l . m s ied ea ove e g m t c us a ne he r a t n a fr i t t i l c r ' de i i t Su e e Cour f nd t t t r o d s f i m ng he ra ou ts c s on, he pr m t ou ha he ec r uppor e t t d he de e m i ton t t Dr Sa ue s w a a tng f t s a e i a i s e i t ECC,a t tt t r na i ha . m l s c i or he t t n dm ni t r ng he nd ha he clni was a s a e r he t f ciiy. l a 653. Alhoug D r Sa ue s w a alo a m e be of i c t t - un alh a lt d. t t h . m l s s m r U I F a w a pai f he s r ce t prva e pa i nt by t c por ton,t pl ntf f ie t M nd s d or r e vi s o i t te s he or a i he ai i f a l d o pr ents fci evi es uf i ent dence t es abls t t cor aton had a connecton or cont actw ih t o t i h hat he por i i r t he ECC,ort tDr Sa ha . muel wa a tng asa a ntf UI F i he c pa iy ast ECC' m e ca s s ci n ge or M n r a ct he S di l di e t r I a 653r c o . d. t 54. A cc r ngl t Sup e e Cour a tr e t ti lc tsde e m i ton o di y, he r m t fi m d he r a our ' t r na i t t k r Sa uel w a a a i s r tve a nt f a s a e i tt ton, e r i i s t nta ha t . m s s n dm nit a i ge or t t ns iu i D xe c s ng ubs a i l dic e i i ca r ng out he admi sr tve du i ,a was t r f e,e il d t s r i s r ton n ryi r nita i tes nd , he e or ntte o ove egn i m uniy.,,8 jj a 65 . m t t. t 3 UnlkeBe a i t r co di t sca econ ansa ee de efom whih ar as bl i nim n, he e r n hi s t i mpl vi nc r c e ona e j r c u d fn t tDr Thil wa a tn o b h l o te Ph sca sGr u ,rt e ta t u y o l i d ha . ee s cig n e af f h y iin o p ah r h n he M e ca School whe he pe f m e t i uba i on Tho a . A sa m e be oft f culy oft di l , n r or d he nt ton m s m r he a t he M e c l Sc , Dr Thi l s i i a y r s di a hool . e e' t m r e pons biiy i t e pr i lt s o ngage i t a ade i pur uis of n he c m c s t t a hi r s a c a ot r s ho a l a tvii s ' Em pl e A gr em e a 1. The c r nt e c ng, e e r h, nd he c l ry c i te . ' oym nt e nt t ur e r d i devoi of any i caton t t Dr.Thi e w as engaged i s purs t dur ng t tm e ecor s d ndi i ha el n uch uis i he i pe i i que ton. N or i t r any e d e t t Dr Thi l w as r s nsbl f r s pe vi i r od n si s he e vi enc ha . e e e po i e o u r s ng me ia r sd n sa t t i . I se d, r a o a l j r c ud tn ta Dr Thil wa a ssig dc l e ie t tha tme n ta a e s n b e u y o l i d h t . ee s s itn t Physca Gr i Gt f nihi ofpr es i heat c r s r i st pa int i t ... he i ins oup n E s ur s ng i of sonal lh a e e vce o te s n he M edi al Ce e .' c nt r ' Dr Thil was a sg . ee s i ned t wor a t a tndi i e i s i t o k s he te ng nt nsvit n he TCV - Uni by a t r m e be of t Physci nsG r PO t no he m r he ia oup,and hi c pe a i w a bas a s om ns ton s ed, t l as i pa t on t r ve t tt Phys c a G r p ge r t d f om s r c r r d by is e t n r , he e nue ha he i i ns ou ne a e r e vi es ende e t physca . l s tt e de ei t s mmayj iins n hor,he vi nc n he u r udgme r c di s fcintt ce t atibl nt e or s ufi e o rae ra e 8Th S rmeCou t lo afr dt tilc r' ga to s mmayj d me tt UI e up e r as fime he ra ou t rn f u r u g n o MF. Thetil s ra e ta eedw ih U I F t Dr Sa uel wasnota i a a agent s va ,orem pl our gr t M hat . m s ctng s n , er nt oyeeofUI F a t tm e M t he i of h p te tste t n i teECC,nd tu ,h t MFwa n s be t oviaiusl blt. Be imi, 9 t e ain' rame tn h a ,h s ta UI s ot u j c t c ro i iiy na n 4 2 a S. 2d a 652,654. Not y,t Supr me Cou-' decii i de d of a s s i t t nonpr i E. t abl he e ls t son s voi ny ugge ton hat he oft cor a i wasentte t s r i i m uniy. por ton ild o ove egn m t is ast whehe Dr Thi ewa ope a i wihi t s opeofhi sa ee pl s ue o t r . el s r tng t n he c s tt m oymenta t tm e t he i he pe f m e t a t co pl ne ofby t pl i i f r or d he c s m ai d he a ntf . C oncl i us on For t r as s a e g ne i s s o m a e i l f ct pr cl t e r of s m a y he e ons t t d, enui s ue f t r a a e ude he nty um r j d me ti fv ro Dr Th eeo teb sso s v rin i n t. Ac o dn l t ec u t l u g n n a o f . il n h a i f o eeg mmu iy c r igy,h o r wi l de Dr Thi e' motonf s ny . el s i or ummayj r udgme . nt The Cl r i diec e t s nd co e oft s m em or ndum opi o a t a com pa ng ek s r td o e pi s hi a ni n nd he c nyi or t a 1c ns lofr or der o 1 ou e ec d. a f rh 01 . oAzso:r i o,N d yo Ma c , 2 7 'hs t t Chif nied St esDiti J e t at srct udge

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