Lawsuit Claims UNMC Retaliation Led to Patient Death

Dr. Sunil Hingorani, director of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence (PCCE), has filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Nebraska. He alleges that university leaders discriminated against him and engaged in retaliatory actions that impeded his mission to combat pancreatic cancer. Hingorani was recruited to UNMC in 2022 with the expectation of strong institutional support.

However, shortly after starting, Hingorani claims he encountered significant resistance from university officials regarding his proposals for marketing, IT improvements, and equipment purchases for his labs. The lawsuit details instances where marketing efforts were allegedly dismissed and his research initiatives were thwarted, hindering the PCCE's progress.

The complaint further asserts that in August 2024, university officials retaliated by drafting a defamatory report contradicting previous assurances about the PCCE's progress. Subsequently, Hingorani was allegedly barred from the clinic, preventing his involvement in patient treatment decisions.

This exclusion, the lawsuit contends, led to at least one patient being inappropriately referred for surgery, a decision Hingorani asserts he would have countered with chemotherapy recommendations. The complaint states this contributed to the patient's death, with allegations of the university attempting to conceal the mistake.

Hingorani, who also claims racial discrimination by a fellow director, is seeking reinstatement and financial compensation for damages, lost wages, and back pay. The University of Nebraska has stated it cannot comment on pending litigation but expressed pride in its national reputation.