Virginia Employment Law is representing Dr. Thomas Bolton in what is believed to be the first jury trial brought under the Virginia Whistleblower Protection Act. Dr. Bolton, a Roanoke Valley emergency physician, alleges he was wrongfully terminated by Lake Spring Emergency Group after raising repeated concerns that management’s push to shorten ER wait times at LewisGale Medical Center and Cave Spring ER compromised patient safety.

Dr. Bolton’s complaints included delays in admitting critically ill patients, inadequate staffing, and failure to order timely tests—issues he contends were ignored in favor of meeting corporate efficiency metrics. He asserts that his termination followed directly from these whistleblowing efforts, in violation of Virginia’s whistleblower statute.

This case, seeking $20 million in damages, is a landmark test of the 2020 law designed to protect employees who speak out against wrongdoing. Virginia Employment Law is proud to stand with Dr. Bolton to advance employee rights and hold employers accountable for retaliation.

An article on the case may be read HERE.