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.

Mental health scammer buys gold-plated Cybertruck with $17M stolen from Tricare
The shiny Tesla Cybertruck cost $100,000. Its owner, Kevin Curry, 64, was convicted by a federal jury for his role in orchestrating a kickback scheme to defraud the military healthcare program. He awaits sentencing.
Lawsuit from Medicaid enrollees, provider advocacy groups challenges ‘Big, Beautiful’ work requirements
Five beneficiaries of the safety-net healthcare program have sued with the support of the National Health Law Program. They are joined by prestigious industry lobbies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Patients of Luminis Health file class action lawsuit following August cyberattack
Plaintiffs allege Anne Arundel Medical Center in Maryland, the target of the data breach, had a server containing unencrypted patient data that hackers were able to access during the breach. The hospital and its parent health system are still recovering from the incident.
Physician left to pay hospital’s $313K legal tab after lawsuit over peer review process fizzles
In a complaint, a California doctor accused his former employer and colleagues of making false statements to damage his reputation. The hospital argued, successfully, that the internist failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution procedures that could have stopped him from losing income.
Federal judge declines to intervene in Cigna’s refusal to pay $3M No Surprises Act award
The judge did not rule that Cigna was justified in refusing to pay but did agree that, under provisions of the NSA, federal courts have no right to compel payments.

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Cardiologist charged with fraud for allegedly altering patient records, billing for unnecessary procedures

The doctor allegedly targeted some patients more than ten times, treating them again and again with procedures that were not medically necessary.

fired kaiser permanente nurse wins lawsuit

Fired nurse wins $41.5M wrongful termination lawsuit

Former Kaiser Permanente nurse Maria Gatchalian will receive $11.49 million in compensatory damages from her ex-employer, $9 million of which is to make amends for emotional distress, along with some $30 million in punitive damages.

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Medical malpractice ruling: Hospital to pay $39M over young heart patient’s death

Prosecutors successfully argued that the patient would not have died if clinicians had ordered a routine CT exam.

Nevada health system accused of creating a heart surgery monopoly in new lawsuit

The health system allegedly ended an ongoing contract with little notice, leaving clinicians and patients without the services of a cardiovascular surgery program.

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Hospital on the hook for $120M jury verdict after residents miss signs of stroke on CT

“I’ve been a lawyer for 40 years now, and I’ve never heard of a malpractice verdict like this,” the plaintiff attorney said.

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Hospitals, firms interrogated by powerful senators

A heavyweight bipartisan duo in the U.S. Senate has begun grilling some for-profit healthcare providers and the private equity outfits that own them.

Kentucky health system, cardiologist to pay $3M for alleged scheme targeting Medicare and Medicaid

The alleged scheme involved a series of diagnostic procedures that, according to the U.S. government, were not medically necessary.

Jury convicts radiology business owner in imaging-contrast kickback scheme

Neurosurgeon Payam Toobian, MD, oversaw a scam in which two physicians would receive gift cards and cash in exchange for referrals to his imaging center.

Legal News

Mental health scammer buys gold-plated Cybertruck with $17M stolen from Tricare

Lawsuit from Medicaid enrollees, provider advocacy groups challenges ‘Big, Beautiful’ work requirements

Patients of Luminis Health file class action lawsuit following August cyberattack

Physician left to pay hospital’s $313K legal tab after lawsuit over peer review process fizzles

Federal judge declines to intervene in Cigna’s refusal to pay $3M No Surprises Act award