Last Wednesday's decision by Chief Judge Thomas Kleeh (N.D. W. Va.) in Balise v. Jackson, stems from a "consensual romantic relationship" between plaintiff, a surgical resident at West Virginia University, and defendant, a registered nurse:
Plaintiff claims that he ended his relationship with Defendant in March 2022, and began a new relationship shortly thereafter. According to Plaintiff, Defendant contacted Ruby Memorial Hospital [where she worked and where Plaintiff had privileges -EV] in August 2022 and made false reports to administrators … that (1) Plaintiff is an alcoholic; (2) a previous medical condition during Plaintiff's residency was caused by alcohol abuse; (3) Plaintiff was treated for alcohol withdrawal with Benzodiazepines; (4) hospital residents, Dr. Ballou and Dr. Ringer, removed alcohol from Plaintiff's apartment more than once; (5) Plaintiff made patient care decisions based on Defendant's work assignments; and (6) Plaintiff encouraged Defendant to get tested for a sexually transmitted disease after their relationship ended. Defendant allegedly made these false statements, two weeks after Plaintiff got engaged, to injure Plaintiff's employment and profession….
Due to the allegedly false and defamatory statements, Ruby Memorial Hospital terminated Plaintiff's privileges and West Virginia University terminated Plaintiff's employment. Plaintiff further claims that Defendant's conduct hurt Plaintiff's professional relationship with West Virginia University and future employers.
Balise sued Jackson for defamation and tortious interference with business relations, and the court allowed the claim to go forward:
