Legal News

Stories about physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in lawsuits—as either a plaintiff or a defendant—or accused of breaking the law. Various legal updates or unusual stories in the news may land here.

ACLU sues North Carolina over illegal detention of mental health patients
A lawsuit filed in federal court claims the state is detaining mentally ill and disabled patients without due process or proper access to treatment.
Psychiatric hospital sued for $150M over ‘encouraging’ fight between juveniles
A new lawsuit claims a 15-year-old girl was used as an enforcer of bad behavior at a psychiatric facility in Michigan, resulting in her severely beating a 10-year-old boy.
Breached Change Healthcare server lacked multifactor authentication, UnitedHealth CEO admits
UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told the Senate Finance Committee that systems have been rebuilt “from scratch” in light of the oversight.
Philips settles cases over faulty sleep apnea machines for $1.1B
The litigation stems from a 2023 recall of CPAP machines and ventilators that caused users to inhale pieces of foam during use. The faulty units were linked to at least 561 deaths.
AMGA condemns FTC ban on noncompetes in healthcare
The healthcare employers’ trade group said a nationwide ban on noncompete contracts will stifle investment in new technologies.

ACLU sues North Carolina over illegal detention of mental health patients

A lawsuit filed in federal court claims the state is detaining mentally ill and disabled patients without due process or proper access to treatment.

May 3, 2024

A cardiology practice in Florida and several of its cardiologists have agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and committed fraud. As a part of the agreement, there has been no determination of liability.

Psychiatric hospital sued for $150M over ‘encouraging’ fight between juveniles

A new lawsuit claims a 15-year-old girl was used as an enforcer of bad behavior at a psychiatric facility in Michigan, resulting in her severely beating a 10-year-old boy.

May 2, 2024

Breached Change Healthcare server lacked multifactor authentication, UnitedHealth CEO admits

UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told the Senate Finance Committee that systems have been rebuilt “from scratch” in light of the oversight.

May 1, 2024

Former managers of a Tampa Florida-based radiology company Advanced Diagnostic Group (ADG) and its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) retirement benefit manager GreatBanc Trust Co. will pay $19 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The suit alleges they allowed the ESOP’s value to be diverted to managers, directors and their shell companies and away from employee participants. money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

Philips settles cases over faulty sleep apnea machines for $1.1B

The litigation stems from a 2023 recall of CPAP machines and ventilators that caused users to inhale pieces of foam during use. The faulty units were linked to at least 561 deaths.

April 29, 2024

AMGA condemns FTC ban on noncompetes in healthcare

The healthcare employers’ trade group said a nationwide ban on noncompete contracts will stifle investment in new technologies.

April 26, 2024

Against malpractice for using clinical AI, the best defense is a good offense

If a clinician you care about counts on AI to help make medical decisions, remind them: Tort law principles hold that doing so means risking liability should a patient sue over harm done.

April 25, 2024

Which healthcare entities will be affected by ban on noncompetes? Look to business practices, not tax status

The new rule will give healthcare workers more options, but are non-profit hospitals exempt from the law?

April 24, 2024

Hackers were inside Change Healthcare’s systems 9 days before attack

UnitedHealth Group confirms hackers have personal data on “a substantial proportion of people in America."

April 24, 2024

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date

Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.