Hospital surveillance video shows doctor fighting with carer of a terminally-ill patient after they disagree over his treatment
- Matthew Coplan acted as a health surrogate for his friend who was terminally ill
- He asked to speak to Dr William Sanchez at Memorial West Hospital
- Sanchez is seen shaking and shoving Coplan when challenged about a treatment
- The doctor hits him in the face several times
Shocking footage has emerged of a doctor hitting a caregiver following an argument over a patient's care in a hospital corridor in Florida.
Matthew Coplan, who was struck by Dr Willam Sanchez several times, claimed he is angry over the incident which happened on on June 2.
Coplan had been acting as a health surrogate for a friend when he got into argument with Sanchez.
Matthew Coplan (pictured) was acting as a health surrogate for his terminally ill friend when he was attacked by a doctor at Memorial West Hospital in Florida
Dr Sanchez (left) is seen with hand on Matthew Coplan's (right) shoulder after he challenged him over a medication that he was giving to his friend who was dying of terminal cancer
He and an acquaintance were concerned over medication that Sanchez had prescribed to their friend at Memorial West Hospital in Florida.
Coplan said his friend had terminal cancer and his kidneys had stopped functioning.
He told Local 10 News that Sanchez grew irate when they questioned him over the treatment.
Share this article
In the footage, Coplan is seen walking towards Sanchez to ask him a question and then told him he wanted to speak to a supervisor.
Sanchez then grabs him by the shirt, shakes him and shoves him backward. Copan then swings his hand at Sanchez and he retaliates with further blows before the two are eventually separated.
Coplan explained: 'He walked to the door and said, "f**k you" to me and then he walked out of the door throwing his hand up in the air.
'He comes and punches me in the side of the head, and he puts his hands around my throat.'
Coplan (right) swings his hand at the doctor after he shakes and shoves him against the wall
Sanchez then hits Coplan in the face before the two are eventually separated in the corridor
Sanchez took a leave of absence after the incident while authorities investigated the footage.
Broward County prosecutors have declined to press charges as they said that Sanchez was defending himself.
Coplan, who was hospitalized for several days after the fight, is considering filing a civil lawsuit.
Sanchez is back practicing and Coplan believes that should not be back working at the hospital.
Memorial West Hospital said Sanchez has privileges to practice at the hospital but is not a direct employee.
In a statement to Local 10 News, it said: 'Memorial Healthcare System is committed to providing a safe environment that promotes healing and compassionate care for its patients as well as a safe and collaborative work environment in which physicians and healthcare staff are empowered to advocate and care for patients.
'We are pleased to learn that the Broward County State Attorney’s office cleared Dr. Sanchez of any criminal charges.'
