BELIZE CITY, Sat. Nov. 28, 2020– The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is facing a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Dr. Adelita Zaiden, the hospital’s former Chief of Staff and ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Dr. Zaiden is claiming damages to the tune of 1.3 million dollars — $110,616.00 per year for 12 years until she reaches the age of retirement.
Dr. Zaiden has worked at the KHMH since October 2016.
According to Dr. Zaiden, she was terminated after the hospital requested that she take on additional duties and extended working hours and she, in turn, requested additional compensation for the increased workload.
This request was never agreed upon, and on January 24, 2020, the KHMH Authority terminated her services, citing its Handbook of Policies and Procedures and Section 37 of the Labour Act.
Dr. Zaiden disagreed with the decision, and the case has now reached the case management stage before Justice Lisa Shoman.
Last week, Justice Shoman granted leave to the KHMH legal team to make amendments to their defense by December 10.
After the claimant’s legal team makes their amendments by December 21 and disclosure and witness statements are filed, the case will enter pre-trial review. We will continue to follow this case as it progresses.