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.

Doctor arrested for $5.2M fraud linked to using medical ozone gas on patients
Jawad Bhatti, MD is facing a 26-count indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice after he allegedly advertised the use of ozone gas as a treatment for pain, then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the unapproved procedures.
Medical malpractice lawsuits are rare in sports cardiology—but they can cost providers millions
When doctors are accused of mishandling the heart health of a young athlete, it occasionally ends up being settled in a courtroom.
HHS, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift
Multiple professional groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians, challenge recent policy changes to vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, which end routine inoculations for minors and pregnant women.
What’s in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—and what was left out?
Sweeping tax cuts and reduced spending on Medicaid and SNAP were signed into law by President Donald Trump. However, a key provision that would have paused new AI regulations was removed by the Senate.
‘Flesh-eating’ hoax on UnitedHealth leaves Las Vegas woman behind bars
Jennifer Forbes, 50, allegedly sent a cryptic, threatening letter to a UnitedHealthcare office along with an unknown substance. She has been charged with two counts of terrorism.

Federal judge sides with FTC; case against PBMs to move forward

A federal court dismissed a counterclaim from CVS, UnitedHealth and Cigna that sought to halt the case on constitutional grounds.

doctor in handcuffs after being arrested

Doctor responsible for $742K ‘residency prep’ scheme gets 3-year sentence

Sonny Saggar, MD, a physician working for St. Louis General Hospital, billed Medicare and Medicaid for patient visits his unqualified assistants conducted. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

veterans health administration efficiency

DOD contractor hit with $11M fine for health data mismanagement

A U.S. military contractor has agreed to an $11.2 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations it lied about properly securing sensitive patient data tied to the Tricare program.

shocked surprised social media post defamation

UnitedHealth hires law firm, demands doctor recant statements on social media

According to a report from Bloomberg Law, UnitedHealth has hired a prestigious defamation law firm to police what it deems as misinformation posted online.

Healthcare AI newswatch: UnitedHealth lawsuit, humanized medical AI, mobile AI care clinics, more

A federal judge has vacated five of seven complaints against UnitedHealth Group—yet is allowing the AI-implicated suit to advance.

Vandalism broken window property destruction

Hospital delays opening after vandals sledgehammer holes into walls

The grand unveiling of a new Trinity Health System hospital in Ohio has been delayed after vandals smashed up the place. The incident is currently under investigation.

Judge orders HHS agencies to restore health information

A Tuesday ruling gave the FDA, CDC and HHS until midnight to undo the mass deletion of webpages stemming from Trump executive orders.

Cancer patient in pain for months discovers surgical sponge in neck, lawsuit claims

Frank Kryzak has filed a lawsuit against Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital after an exploratory surgery allegedly left him in a mysterious state of agony for four months.

Legal News

Doctor arrested for $5.2M fraud linked to using medical ozone gas on patients

Medical malpractice lawsuits are rare in sports cardiology—but they can cost providers millions

HHS, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift

What’s in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—and what was left out?

‘Flesh-eating’ hoax on UnitedHealth leaves Las Vegas woman behind bars