Radiologist can sue former practice over age-related firing, judge rules
A Nevada radiologist can move forward with a lawsuit against his former practice, charging that he was fired after complaining about age discrimination, a judge ruled recently.
Danny Eisenberg, MD, alleges that he was terminated as a radiologist and shareholder from Radiology Associates of Nevada (RAN) after complaining to the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission about age discrimination, rather than for his performance-related issues, Bloomberg Law reported July 30.
Eisenberg claims that in 2014, President of RAN Matthew Treinen, MD, moved to strip the doctor of his shareholder status by launching a campaign to remove voting rights for radiologists 65 years and older. Eisenberg was the next physician to reach that age, but the plan never went into effect due to other radiologists’ concerns. In 2016, Eisenberg told the RAN ethics committee that he felt he was being targeted for past performance issues dating back to 2007.
After being placed on probation in May 2017 for more on-the-job issues, RAN issued a performance improvement plan with terms Eisenberg agreed to, but soon after he labeled them a “farce.” It was later that year when he filed age discrimination charges with state officials. Those filings made their way to RAN on September 15, and three days later the firm’s director of human resources sent an email to 17 rad shareholders asking them to vote on whether Eisenberg should be fired. All agreed to terminate the doctor, according to the ruling.
Judge James C. Mahan ruled July 27 that Eisenberg may move ahead with his suit, which includes allegations of age discrimination, retaliation and breach of contract.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.