General Release, dated May 17, 2013, between Merge Healthcare Incorporated and Ann Mayberry-French

1.           General Release of Claims.

 

I hereby release the Company, as defined herein from, and covenant not to sue the Company with respect to, any and all claims I have or may have against the Company.

 

2.           Claims to Which Release Applies.

 

This release applies both to claims that are now known or are later discovered.   However, this release does not apply to any claims that may arise after the date I execute this release.  This release does not apply to any claims that may not be released under applicable law.

 

3.           Claims Released Include Age Discrimination and Employment Claims.

 

The claims released include, but are not limited to, (1) claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 621 et seq.), (2) claims arising out of or relating in any way to my employment with the Company or the conclusion of that employment and (3) claims arising under any other federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance, common law or order that regulates the employment relationship and/or employee benefits.

 

4.           Release Covers Claims Against Related Parties.

 

For purposes of this release the term “Company” means Merge Healthcare Incorporated and any of its present, former and future owners, parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, and its and their directors, officers, shareholders, employees, agents, attorneys, servants, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns and its or their past and present employee benefit plans, trustees, fiduciaries and administrators.  Therefore, the claims released include claims I have against any such persons or entities.

 

5.           The Terms “Claims” and “Release” are Construed Broadly.

 

As used in this release, the term “claims” shall be construed broadly and shall be read to include, for example, the terms “rights”, “causes of action (whether arising in law or equity)”, “damages”, “demands”, “obligations”, “grievances” and “liabilities” of any kind or character.  Similarly, the term “release” shall be construed broadly and shall be read to include, for example, the terms “discharge” and “waive”.  Nothing in this release is a waiver of my right to file any charge or complaint with administrative agencies such as the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which, as a matter of law, I cannot be prohibited from or punished for filing (an “Excepted Charge”).  Merge Healthcare Incorporated’s acknowledgment of this exception does not limit the scope of the waiver and release in Paragraphs 2 – 6 of this release and I waive any right to recover damages or obtain individual relief that might otherwise result from the filing of any Excepted Charge.  In the event that any claim is filed on my behalf by any person or entity against the Company, I hereby waive the right to any monetary damages or injunctive relieve in my favor.

 

 

6.           Release Binding on Employee and Related Parties.

 

This release shall be binding upon me and my agents, attorneys, personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

7.           Additional Consideration.

 

I have executed this release in consideration of the cash severance payments and insurance continuation reimbursement benefits described in the attached letter to me from the Company dated May 17, 2013 (the “Benefits”).  I acknowledge that these Benefits represent consideration in addition to anything of value that I am otherwise entitled to receive from the Company.  These Benefits are sufficient to support this release.

 

8.           Representations.

 

In connection with my decision to provide this release I acknowledge that I have not relied on any verbal or written representations by the Company other than those explicitly set forth in the Benefits and this release itself.

 

9.           Opportunity to Consider this Release; Consultation with Attorney.

 

I have read this release and fully understand its terms.  I have been offered twenty-one (21) days to consider its terms.  I have been (and am again hereby) advised in writing to consult with an attorney before signing this release.

 

10.         Voluntary Agreement.

 

I have entered into this release knowingly and voluntarily and understand that its terms are binding on me.

 

11.         Partial Invalidity of Release.

 

If any part of this release is held to be unenforceable, invalid or void, then the balance of this release shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by law.

 

12.         Future Conduct; Confidentiality.

 

I have returned or will return to the Company any and all  property, including but not limited to all equipment, laptop computer, iPad, telephones, keycards, records, files, papers, handbooks, Confidential Information (as defined below), and other Company equipment that I had in my possession in whatever form, including electronic media.

 

I will not disparage or malign the Company in any communication, whether written or oral, and will not otherwise take any action or assist others to take any action that is intended or likely to harm the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, shareholders or other affiliates.

 

 

During the course of my employment with the Company, I have had access to, received and/or developed information that is confidential to the Company including, without limitation, information pertaining to financial matters, budgets, strategic plans, marketing, sales, customers, business plans, inventions, processes, formulas, designs, supplies, products, credit card numbers, passwords and employee information (the “Confidential Information”).  I acknowledge and agree that all Confidential Information was or is hereby assigned to and remains the exclusive property of the Company.  I agree that I will maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and not disclosure it to any person or use it in any way to harm the Company.

 

Further, I expressly agree that I will use my best efforts and in good faith to keep all such Confidential Information as confidential.

 

The Company and I agree not to make, at any time, any public statement that is intended to or could reasonably be expected to disparage the other party, which other party, as to the Company, includes its subsidiaries or any of its or their products, services, shareholders, directors, officers or employees.  Subject to SEC required communications, the Company agrees that in its external communications that it shall not make, at any time, any public statement that is intended to or could reasonably be expected to disparage Employee.

 

Nothing in this release prevents me from communicating with any government agency regarding matters that are within the agency’s jurisdiction.

 

13.         Headings.

 

The headings and subheadings in this release are inserted for convenience and reference only and are not to be used in construing this release.

 

14.         Applicable Law.

 

Wisconsin law will apply in connection with any dispute or proceeding concerning this release.  Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought and tried exclusively in the state and federal courts located in Waukesha County in the state of Wisconsin and in no other court or venue.  The parties hereby waive any claim or defense that any forum set forth in this Paragraph14 is not convenient or proper, and expressly agree to the venue and jurisdiction of the courts set forth in this Paragraph14.  THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY OF THEM AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO IN ANY MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

15.         Suit in Violation of this Release - Loss of Benefits and Payment of Costs.

 

If I bring an action against the Company in violation of this release or if I bring an action asking that this release be declared invalid or unenforceable, I agree that prior to the commencement of such an action I will tender back to the Company all payments that I have received as consideration for this release.  If my action is unsuccessful, I further agree that I will pay all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Company in its successful defense against the action.  I acknowledge and understand that all remaining cash payments and insurance continuation reimbursement benefits to be provided to me as consideration for this release will permanently cease as of the date such action is instituted.  However, the previous three sentences shall not be applicable if I bring an action challenging the validity of this release under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (which I may do without penalty under this release).

 

 

16.         Preservation of Rights under Benefit Plans and Indemnities.

 

This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto) and your non-disclosure, non-competition and/or non-solicitation agreements constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, between or among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this release shall not adversely affect my rights to receive any benefit that I am otherwise entitled to receive under any of the Company’s qualified and nonqualified benefit plans, or my rights to indemnification under the Company’s officers and directors’ insurance coverage, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or any indemnity agreement between the Company and me.

 

17.         7-Day Revocation Period.

 

I understand that I have a period of seven (7) calendar days following the date I deliver a signed copy of this release to Shelley Wyka, Vice President of Human Resources, Merge Healthcare, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 2435, Chicago, Illinois 60601, to revoke this release by giving written notice to that same person.  This release and my entitlement to the Benefits will be binding and effective upon the expiration of this seven (7) day period if I do not revoke, but not before.

 

18.         Restrictive Covenants.

 

For twelve months from the effective date of this release (the “Restricted Period”), without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), I will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, hire or engage any individual for employment by any person or entity or hire any person employed by the Company or its subsidiaries if such person was employed by the Company or its subsidiaries within the prior 12 months (provided, however, that the employment of any such person solely as a result of a response to a general solicitation or advertisement shall not constitute a violation of this clause).

 

During the Restricted Period, I will not: (i) directly or indirectly contact any Customer of Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) for the purposes of providing or selling to those Customers services or products competitive with the services or products provided by Company; or (ii) directly or indirectly transact any business with any Customer of Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) relating to services or products competitive with the services or products provided by Company in the previous twelve months to that Customer. For the purposes of this Section, “Customer” shall mean any person or entity to whom Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has provided services or products at any time in the twelve month period immediately prior to May 14, 2013 and with which or whom you have had contact or knowledge of confidential information.

 

 

During the Restricted Period, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), Executive agrees not to engage in legal representation or counseling activities for or on behalf of any person or entity within the United States engaged in the business of developing or marketing software that manages, transmits or stores health care images.

 

19.         Further  Assistance.

 

I hereby agree to provide my reasonable and truthful cooperation and assistance, to the extent reasonably requested, in connection with any litigation, arbitration, dispute or other matter between the Company and any third party that may currently be threatened or pending or that may later arise.  Nothing in this Paragraph19 shall require me to take any action inconsistent with my duties and obligations under applicable law.

 

EXECUTED THIS 17th DAY OF May, 2013.

Ann Mayberry-French		/s/ Ann Mayberry-French
Name		Signature

As to the representations of the Company in Paragraph 12:

MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED

By:	/s/ Justin C. Dearborn
Its:	President

May 17, 2013