A Virginia dentist was awarded $1.85 million after a court ruled that his former employer made defamatory statements before terminating him.
Richard Grundy, DDS, was previously employed at the office of Charles Brown, DDS. Dr. Brown sent a letter to patients in December 2018 explaining his reasons for terminating Dr. Grundy’s employment.
Dr. Grundy filed a lawsuit against Dr. Brown for defamation per se, claiming that the letter included false and damaging statements about his professional conduct. Dr. Grundy won his case in a trial court, but Dr. Brown challenged the verdict to the Virginia Court of Appeals.
The appeals affirmed the trial court’s ruling June 3, according to court documents.