Former Medical Director sues employer after getting fired for telling the truth

GOLDEN, Colo. -- Former Medical Director James Brill is suing Correct Care Solutions for wrongfully terminating him, after he testified in a case involving an inmate suffering a stroke. In 2012, former Jefferson County inmate Kenneth McGill suffered a stroke but wasn’t transported to the hospital until the next day. 

“When I came in the morning and found he had a stroke I sent him out to the hospital,” said Dr. James Brill told Denver7.

McGill sued Correctional Health Care Companies and among the defendants is Correct Care Solutions. The medical care provider contracts with the jail and was Dr. Brill’s employer.

Dr. Brill was removed from the initial lawsuit and testified in the case claiming the nurses were in the wrong.

“If the nurse had called me in the middle of the night describing the symptoms McGill was having, I would have sent him out to the hospital,” said Dr. Brill

Brill said his testimony cost him his job. Hours after he testified, Brill said his four-year employment with CCS was terminated for no apparent reason. His lawsuit now claims he was fired in retaliation for his honest testimony.

Mari Newman, who is representing Brill, says CCS’ efforts to cut corners have caused them to be part of several pending lawsuits across the state. Just last year, the family of Jennifer Lobato settled a lawsuit with the CCS after Lobato's pleas to the go the hospital were ignored causing her death.

“It's an organization that puts profit ahead of healthcare," said Attorney, Mari Newman.

“I think they've hired people who are not skilled in jail medicine and who are not skilled clinically,” said Brill.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office plans to keep its contract with CCS, a spokesperson with CCS told Denver7, adding that they don’t comment on pending litigations.