AURORA, Colo. — A federal jury found that HCA HealthOne Aurora wrongfully terminated nurse DonQuenick Joppy, awarding her $20 million on Wednesday after concluding her dismissal followed complaints about racial discrimination in the workplace.
Joppy, who is Black, alleged that the hospital, previously known as the Medical Center of Aurora, unfairly blamed her for the death of a 94-year-old patient in 2019 as a pretext to fire her. The patient had been suffering from organ failure due to an infection and died after his family consented to discontinue life support. Joppy claimed she acted on instructions from a respiratory therapist when she turned off the ventilator, well after her shift had ended.
In November 2020, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office charged Joppy with manslaughter, but the case was dismissed in September 2021 “in the interest of justice.” Following the hospital’s push for prosecution, the state Board of Nursing received inaccurate information that hampered Joppy’s opportunities for future employment in her field.
Reflecting on her experience, Joppy expressed hope that her case would not be the first of its kind. “I pray I’m the last,” she stated in a recent interview.
In a statement, HealthOne expressed its strong disagreement with the jury’s verdict and announced plans to appeal. The institution emphasized its obligation to report any instances of improper care, suggesting that Joppy acted outside the boundaries of her nursing license by shutting off the ventilator. HealthOne maintained that her termination was due solely to her actions.
The jury awarded Joppy $5 million for lost wages, emotional distress, and reputational damage, in addition to $15 million in punitive damages. Jennifer Robinson, Joppy’s attorney, noted that such a large award is uncommon in employment discrimination cases, indicative of the jury’s recognition of the racial bias involved in Joppy’s firing.
Joppy has faced significant hardships since her dismissal, including unstable housing that forced her to live separately from her 15-year-old daughter. “I’m looking forward to my daughter and I healing together and having a home to call our own,” she said.
She postulated that her experience reflects systemic racism prevalent not only within HCA HealthOne Aurora but also in the healthcare sector and society at large. Joppy expressed a desire for the verdict to spur reflections on personal biases and commitment to change.
“The racism in America is a health condition that needs treatment and healing,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for broader awareness and action.
This article was automatically written by OpenAI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by emailing contact@publiclawlibrary.org.