A long-standing employee of a major healthcare organization is suing his former employer for defamation and wrongful termination. On September 6, 2024, Yitbarek Kebede filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, against Dignity Health dba Mercy San Juan Medical Center.
According to the complaint, Yitbarek Kebede was employed by Dignity Health since 2003 as a licensed nuclear medicine technologist at Mercy San Juan Medical Center (MSJMC). Over the years, Kebede received positive performance reviews and was eventually promoted to Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist. However, in early September 2023, following a routine medical procedure involving the administration of Lexiscan to an elderly patient, Kebede became the subject of damaging rumors within the hospital. The plaintiff alleges that these rumors falsely accused him of working outside his scope of practice and engaging in unsafe behavior.
The complaint details how these defamatory statements were circulated by various employees and supervisors within Dignity Health's Imaging Department and Human Resources. "Defendant’s employees continuously published false statements that Plaintiff worked outside his scope of practice," reads one part of the filing. These allegations culminated in Kebede's termination on September 29, 2023. The plaintiff contends that this termination was based on unsubstantiated claims and falsehoods spread by his colleagues.
Kebede argues that these defamatory statements have caused significant harm to his personal and professional reputation. He claims that the false accusations have led to severe emotional distress, humiliation, loss of employment opportunities, and economic damages due to lost wages. The complaint asserts that Dignity Health acted with malice and ill will towards Kebede, intending to damage his reputation unjustly.
In terms of legal relief, Kebede is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages and non-economic damages such as emotional distress. Additionally, he is asking for punitive damages to punish Dignity Health for their alleged malicious actions. The plaintiff also seeks attorneys' fees and costs associated with bringing this lawsuit.
Representing Yitbarek Kebede are attorneys Lawrance A. Bohm, Zane E. Hilton, and Daniel T. Newman from Bohm Law Group Inc., located in Sacramento. The case has been assigned Case No.: not provided yet by the court.