Kerlan Jobe Physicians Sue Cedars-Sinai For Defamation, Retaliation, and Putting Patient Care at Risk for First Responders and World-Class Athletes

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 15, 2025--

Two members of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic – an internationally-recognized clinic for innovation and care, and one of America’s most respected sports medicine practices – have filed a lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, its nonprofit foundation, and affiliated outpatient surgical facilities.

Dr. Daniel Kharrazi and Dr. Ronald Kvitne allege defamation, retaliation, sex discrimination, and unlawful actions that not only harmed their careers, but more critically, compromised care for patients ranging from Los Angeles firefighters and police officers to professional athletes.

Their suit ( linked here ) alleges that Cedars-Sinai’s predatory imposition and control over the Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center prioritized profits and a monopoly-driven takeover of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) over the health and safety of patients.

Kerlan Jobe physicians worked for Cedars, under the Kerlan Jobe name, since 2014.

“This lawsuit raises pressing questions: Can athletes and the public trust Cedars with their health when the hospital is accused of retaliation, defamation, and discrimination that has already disrupted patient care?” said Carney Shegerian, who represents Kvitne and Kharrazi.

As a member of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic and Surgery Center, Dr. Kvitne spent three decades as the Los Angeles Kings’ Team Physician and served as an orthopedic consultant for the UFC, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Anaheim Angels. Dr. Kharrazi has served as Team Physician for the Los Angeles Lakers and Sparks for two decades, while also treating thousands of everyday patients recovering from knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries. Between them, they have authored dozens of publications, pioneered treatments, and helped countless first responders and world-renowned athletes return to their professions.

Their affiliation with Kerlan Jobe carried the same ethos as its founders, Drs. Robert Kerlan and Frank Jobe—legends who invented game-changing procedures including the famous “Tommy John” surgery. Cedars-Sinai’s hostile takeover effort of Kerlan Jobe has turned that patient-first ethos upside down.

The suit alleges that Cedars-Sinai systematically targeted Kvitne and Kharrazi for refusing to abandon patients in favor of corporate profit.

The claims include:

• Sex/Gender Discrimination and Harassment: Cedars allegedly sidelined senior male surgeons while promoting younger, less-experienced female doctors who lacked Kerlan-Jobe training.
• Age and Disability Harassment: After Dr. Kvitne recovered from spinal surgery, Cedars spread false rumors about his ability to practice medicine, despite full medical clearance and successful surgeries.
• Whistleblower Retaliation: Both doctors spoke out against Cedars’ unsafe practices, and attempts to push them out by trying to blame them for Cedars’ actions.

According to the complaint, Cedars:

• Refused to schedule follow-up appointments for hundreds of post-surgical patients, redirecting patients elsewhere, and preventing appointments from being scheduled.
• Blocked firefighters and police officers from receiving treatment, even after devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, disrupting the recovery of first responders injured in the line of duty.
• Spread defamatory claims that the doctors had been “fired” or were no longer seeing patients, sowing confusion and severing vital patient-physician relationships.
• Interfered with direct athlete care, just as Los Angeles prepares to host the LA28 Olympic Games —where Cedars-Sinai is the official medical partner for Team USA athletes.

This follows on a separate lawsuit, filed against Cedars and its affiliates in January 2025, which details 19 claims including allegations of civil conspiracy, retaliation, breach of contract, tortious interference with contractual relations, among other claims.

“This case is about whether Cedars-Sinai values the safety of patients or the size of its empire,” said Shegerian.

The case is pending before Los Angeles Superior Court.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250915595151/en/

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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

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SOURCE: Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic

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PUB: 09/15/2025 09:07 AM/DISC: 09/15/2025 09:06 AM

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