Doctor Facing Over 100 Malpractice Suits Testifies

Christina Cole

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Former Putnam General Hospital doctor at the center of over 100 medical malpractice lawsuits testified Friday that he doesn't have a fixed address and has not worked since early November and lost his tax records when his accountant's office was burnt down.

Christopher Wallace Martin, previously known as John A. King changed his name in April and his former name was used during Friday's hour long hearing. Eagloski ordered him to appear in court after he failed to comply with a May order requiring him to show financial, tax and residential records in the lawsuits.

Martin practiced at Putnam General for six months in 2003. 110 former patients or their survivors have since sued Kin, the hospital and HCA inc., its former parent company alleging malpractice such as botched and unnecessary surgeries.

The hospital suspended Martin and his privileges in May 2003. Later he surrendered his license with the state Board of Osteopathy and left West Virginia. Martin testified that he has lived in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee since his Mountain State Stint. Most recently he provided medical service for Urgent Care Corp. in Alabama.