Fitness First antitrust lawsuit settled in federal court

The U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Orlando. Health First and a gaggle of area Coast physicians and clinical corporations have settled their three-year antitrust criminal battle, chopping brief a federal trial before the first witness took the stand. The agreement was announced Tuesday morning in U.S. District court docket in downtown Orlando. No extra information on the settlement changed into accessible.

Health First debuted in 1995, and the system operates hospitals in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera and Cape Canaveral. fitness First was sued by means of Omni Healthcare, Interventional spine Institute of Florida, and a gaggle of space Coast doctors, scientific practices and a health care provider's assistant. The plaintiffs alleged that health First leveraged an unlawful "clinic monopoly" into South Brevard's markets for physicians, health insurance, Medicare potential plans, and ancillary functions like laboratory capabilities and physical therapy. They sought $360 million in damages and asked for the breakup of health First's company network.

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Omni-vs.-health First antitrust case going to trial

health First's lawyers denied that allegation, asserting there was no facts of monopolistic behavior. They argued that health First's network is a contemporary start gadget that become created to handle spiraling health care costs.

Jury preference and opening statements took vicinity Monday, and the trial was expected to remaining about three weeks. the first plaintiffs scheduled to take the stand Tuesday had been Dr. Lance Grenevicki, former surgical branch chief at Holmes Regional clinical core, and Dr. Richard Gayles, an anesthesiologist, based on a court observe filed Monday.

Instead, courtroom handiest convened Tuesday from 8:42 to 9:13 a.m., clerk's minutes exhibit. The events announced that the case changed into settled, the jury become excused, and U.S. District choose Roy Walton Jr. issued an order dismissing the case.

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Settlement reached in Heath First antitrust trial

Health First officers talked about they had been getting ready a press release in regards to the contract, which turned into not launched Tuesday. Dr. Craig Deligdish, president of Omni Healthcare, declined remark. His attorney, Joe Whatley, could not be reached for comment.

Final August, Parrish clinical core filed an antitrust lawsuit towards health First and its affiliated organizations in Brevard County Circuit court docket, claiming that health First makes use of "anti-aggressive conduct right through Brevard County." fitness First denied those allegations, and the case continues to be unresolved. No court docket dates are pending in that lawsuit, clerk of courts facts show.