David Lankford, MD, an Indiana-based pediatric intensivist, filed a lawsuit against Lutheran Medical Group to prevent his former employer from enforcing a noncompete agreement, according to a report in The Journal Gazette.
Dr. Lankford said in the lawsuit he worked more than his obligations under his original agreement with Lutheran and allegedly wasn't compensated for the extra work. He left Lutheran for Parkview in January, although Lutheran said it would enforce Dr. Lankford's noncompete agreement. Parkview then canceled Dr. Lankford's shifts, according to the report.
Indiana's new law, which went into effect July 1, states noncompete agreements are unenforceable if the physician terminates an agreement for cause, which Dr. Lankford did. He seeks to prevent Luthran from enforcing the noncompete with his lawsuit.
Luteran declined to comment on the story to The Journal Gazette.