Lifepoint Hospital Mishandled Sex Assault Claim, Lawyer Said (1)

A Lifepoint Health hospital delayed acting for “a couple years” after officials learned that a physician was accused of sexually assaulting patients, according to statements made by the company’s top attorney during a meeting with employees.

Jennifer Peters, the chief legal officer for the nation’s sixth-largest hospital chain, described that incident and two others during a meeting with members of Lifepoint’s human resources staff last month. She said the episodes had created risks for the company and patient safety.

In a statement issued after this story’s publication, a Lifepoint spokeswoman contradicted remarks Peters made during the Aug. 8 ...