Vegas Jury Awards TeamHealth Millions, Says ‘Yes’ to Punis

After a monthlong trial, a holiday weekend and a day and a half of deliberation, seven women and one man ruled Monday afternoon in Las Vegas that UnitedHealthcare and four affiliates unjustly enriched themselves, breached an implied contract and engaged in unfair claims practices when it came to reimbursing emergency room doctors in Nevada. The jury also determined that Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare did so with malice, oppression and fraud — paving the way for punitive damages.

Although the jury awarded roughly $3 million out of the $10.5 million in actual damages that the ER doctors asked for, lawyers for the plaintiffs expect the award could grow astronomically after jurors return next week for the punitive damages portion of the trial. As it stands, the actual damages award is expected to grow to “north of $10 million” when interest and attorneys’ fees are factored in, the plaintiffs’ lead lawyer, John Zavitsanos, said.