The lawsuit against Freeman Neosho and disgraced doctor Jeffrey Wool in this morning's Joplin Globe is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems Wool has caused for the hospital.
Court records indicate at least eight malpractice lawsuits have been filed in the past two years against Wool, Freeman Neosho, and Freeman Health Systems.
One of those went to trial with the plaintiffs Jessee Eastburn, Tim Zengel, and David Zengel awarded $300,000 plus $1,457.80 in court costs on April 9, 2004.
Undisclosed settlements were reached in two other cases. Ronald Steven Taylor's lawsuit was settled March 7, according to court records. The case was filed on Aug. 10, 2004. The case against defendants Neidra DePuy, Margaret Bond, and Dr. William Bentz had been dismissed earlier, court records indicate.
The other case that was settled was a lawsuit filed by Minnie and Joseph Smith on June 4, 2003, against Wool and Freeman Health System.
The lawsuits were brought after information was uncovered that Wool had fraudulently obtaining painkillers and allegedly did operations while under the influence. He pleaded guilty to drug charges in Newton County Circuit Court, and was given a suspended sentence.
MORE TO COME