Physician’s Employment Contract: Termination for Cause
// Dallas, Texas, United States // Attorney Keith Clouse (Blog) // Keith Clouse
In a physician employment contract, the termination for cause provision typically includes a list of events that, should they occur, would give the practice group grounds to terminate the physician’s employment. “Cause” may include the physician’s: • conviction of a serious criminal act; • embezzlement from the practice group; • willful and continued failure to substantially perform the physician’s duties; • material breach of the employment agreement; • loss or restriction of the physician’s license to practice medicine or of the physician’s ability to prescribe drugs; • suspension of medical staff privileges at a particular hospital; • refusal to comply with the practice group’s policies, standards, protocols, bylaws, rules, and regulations; • causing the practice group to be unable to obtain malpractice insurance coverage for the physician; • use of illegal drugs or abuse of controlled substances; or • ineligibility to participate in federal health care programs.
In most situations, when a physician’s misconduct gives the employer grounds for a for-cause termination, the practice group has no obligation to pay the physician separation pay or provide him with any further benefits.
To discuss a physician employment agreement with an employment lawyer, contact an employment lawyer in your area. This article is presented by the Dallas physician attorneys at Clouse Dunn LLP. For inquiries, send an email to debra@clousedunn.com or call (214) 239-2705.
Contact Keith Clouse
KEITH A. CLOUSE
Clouse Dunn LLP
214.220.2722 214.220.3833 ( fax) keith@clousedunn.com
