WINFIELD, W.Va. (AP) - A jury says Putnam General Hospital was negligent when it hired an osteopathic physician who later was accused of more than 100 acts of medical malpractice.

The Putnam County Circuit Court jury deliberated about an hour this afternoon before holding the hospital responsible for allowing Doctor John King to practice there. The verdict means Putnam General will be a co-defendant in 122 medical malpractice lawsuits filed against King.

The lawsuits allege that King performed unnecessary surgeries, botched operations and committed other malpractice.

The jury found that Putnam General failed to meet the standard of care in considering King's applications for credentials in 2002.

Jurors also said the plaintiffs can seek punitive damages against the hospital.

King has since changed his name to Christopher Martin. Charleston Area Medical Center bought the hospital from H-C-A last year and renamed it CAMC Teays Valley.