Lobel v. Maimonides Med. Ctr.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT AND PRIVILEGES TERMINATION

Lobel v. Maimonides Med. Ctr.,
2007 N.Y. Slip. Op. 3000 (N.Y. App. Div. Apr. 10, 2007)

The Supreme Court of New York affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of
a physician’s wrongful termination claim, holding that the doctor was an
at-will employee; the hospital established that there was no agreement setting
forth a fixed duration for the doctor’s continued employment.

The doctor established that her 1996 employment contract was extended only
through June 30, 2001. The hospital’s letter extending her hospital privileges
did not constitute an extension of her employment contract. Because the doctor’s
cause of action was based on an allegedly wrongful denial of hospital privileges,
she was limited to injunctive relief, and was barred from maintaining an action
for damages.

The court also affirmed the lower court’s dismissal of her claim for breach
of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and her claims for
tortious interference.