Lakewood Has Spent $125,000 Defending Lakewood Hospital Lawsuit

LAKEWOOD, OHIO — The ongoing turmoil regarding Lakewood Hospital has led to $125,000 being spent by the city on outside attorneys to fight a lawsuit brought on by five individuals, cleveland.com reports.

While the city of Lakewood owns the property on which the former Lakewood Hospital resides, the space is managed by Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic saw a trend toward outpatient services and closed the hospital, turning the space into the outpatient-focused Cleveland Clinic Lakewood.

The Lakewood City council approved the measure and the lawsuits followed from residents hoping to keep Lakewood Hospital open.

The issue has monopolized quite a bit of the city’s time and money and the $125,000 doesn't include funds spent by the city to fight a lawsuit brought about by Sen. Michael Skindell to keep the hospital open, cleveland.com reports.

Lakewood's City Law Director Kevin Butler mentioned the $125,000 figure Monday night after a request came through from City Councilman Tom Bullock seeking details on the matter.