Paul v. Lankenau Hospital

OPINION OF THE COURT

PAPADAKOS, Justice.

This case causes us to review once again our jurisprudence on the subject of employment at-will in Pennsylvania.

Appellee, Dr. Pavle Paul, is a Yugoslavian physician who emigrated to the United States where he was employed by Appellant, Lankenau Hospital, from 1962 until his resignation on August 20, 1980. Dr. Paul sued the hospital for compensatory damages based on his claims that the hospital was estopped from discharging him for removing five refrigerators, allegedly without permission, and that such discharge caused him to be defamed. In his suit…