Trial News

Varun Chopra completed a medical degree program in Antigua and sought to pursue his residency in the United States. He signed a residency agreement with the for-profit Pontiac General Hospital and, after his parents paid the hospital $400,000, the agreement was consummated. Chopra then leased an apartment near the hospital and participated in an observation program at the hospital for several weeks. A hospital administrator then told Chopra’s mother that her son would not be permitted to participate in the residency program. Chopra received an email confirming that he had withdrawn from the program. The hospital refused to return the $400,000 to Chopra’s parents, stating that it was considered a donation.

Chopra and his parents sued the hospital, its CEO and president, and an administrator, alleging breach of the residency contract.

The jury awarded more than $484,500, finding that the parents had acted as their son’s agent in making the $400,000 payment and that Chopra was the intended third-party beneficiary of the implied contract with the hospital.

Citation: Chopra v. Oakland Physicians Med. Ctr., LLC, No. 2:16-cv-13915 (E.D. Mich. Oct. 9, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: Andrew Broder and Carol Fossee, both of Bingham Farms, Mich.