Excellence in Private Practice Physical Therapy

Richard Wright lawsuit update

May 2008

Go to this link to see letter from Diana Godwin and update on lawsuit

January 2008

From Richard: The Judge has certified our case for discretionary review. We have a hearing with an Administrator of the Appellate Court on February 26th at 10:00 AM. The hearing will be in Spokane. He will decide whether the case will be heard by the Appellate Court. Both sides are requesting this discretionary review by the Appellate Court. I have forwarded you our motion. For Physical Therapists who would like a brief overview of our case, this would be good reading for them. Thanks, Richard Wright

November 2007

Referral for Profit issue impacts all private practice physical therapist. PPSIG member Richard Wright needs our support. Here is his letter to all PPSIG members:

Dear Fellow PPSIG Member,

As many of you know Columbia Physical Therapy has been involved in a lawsuit against Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates for the past two years. This litigation is critical for the protection of the private practice of physical therapy. We have had several successes at the trial court level, and the case is expected to go to the Appellate Court in Spokane early next year. We hope this litigation is not only beneficial to physical therapists in Washington, but is also beneficial to physical therapists in other states confronted with similar problems.

Our attorneys have recently made a presentation concerning this case at the General Business meeting of the Private Practice Section meeting in San Diego. It was very well received because the therapists understood how important this issue is for the protection of the physical therapy profession. They also understood that when conflicts of interest arise in the referral process, problems are created for both the patients and the health-care system.

If we prevail in this case, referral sources and physical therapists would not be allowed to provide their services in the same corporation. Our anticipated result is that physical therapists (employees) would not be able to rebate the profit generated by their services to the referral sources (employers). This would eliminate the conflict of interest. This litigation has been very time-consuming and expensive. Our company has now spent $383,000 on this case. There is still a long road ahead of us with the appeal and trial. For the preservation of private practice, and for the good of our profession, patients, and the health-care system, we are requesting that you provide financial support for this litigation. We are asking for a donation of between $1,000 and $2,000 per clinic depending on how much this issue affects your business. Even though this seems like a lot, please remember that our company has already spent $31,000 per clinic. If we prevail in this case, we will all benefit from it.

With all the time, energy and money that have been spent on this case, it’s important to finish the task. If you are willing to help us with the cost of this litigation, please make the check out directly to Stafford Frey Cooper. Please note that the payment is on behalf of client number 10268 and matter number 27034. The case is Columbia Physical Therapy v. Benton Franklin Orthopedic

Please send your payment directly to:
Stafford Frey Cooper
601 Union Street
Suite 3100
Seattle, WA 98101-1374

Sincerely,

Richard K. Wright P.T.
President
Columbia Physical Therapy P.S.

See more - supporting documents and RCW's related to Richard's case