Medical group sues physician to recover legal defense costs

A St. Louis medical group wants to reimbursed for court costs it says it paid to one of its doctors for defense of a lawsuit.
General Medicine of Illinois Physicians filed a lawsuit Nov. 5 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Mecca T. McDonald.

According to the complaint, Dr. McDonald was employed by General Medicine as a physician from June 2005 through February 2007 and was covered under the company's insurance provider, Physician Malpractice Insurance Underwriters Inc.

In May 2007 a wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Madison County Circuit Court naming Dr. McDonald as one of the defendants. General Medicine alleges it has since paid more than $40,000 to the doctor to cover defense costs and expenses for his legal  representation, with the total expected to increase as litigation is ongoing.

According to the complaint, the company's insurance policy does not cover legal defense costs. General Medicine says it has asked Dr. McDonald to reimburse the company all money paid for his defense. The physician has allegedly failed to comply.

General Medicine seeks a judgement of more than $40,000 plus future fees and court costs.

It is represented by attorneys Robert J. Bassett and Jennifer L. Dickerson of St. Louis. They ask for a jury trial.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-1805