A lawsuit filed against Erlanger Health System by its former chief executive officer in 2003 has been dismissed.

Former CEO Dennis Pettigrew alleged the hospital refused to honor terms of an agreement negotiated when he resigned in February 2003.

According to the lawsuit and news archives, the hospital wanted to stop providing life insurance for the 10 months of Mr. Pettigrew’s severance term. The suit also claimed the hospital wanted to pay him in gross sums, as opposed to wage payments with tax withholding.

The hospital counter-sued, prompting five years of litigation.

Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth signed an agreed order of dismissal today.

According to the agreement, both parties have “confidentially settled and compromised” the dispute.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.