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.

Wrongful death lawsuit filed after restrained hospital patient dies of cardiac arrest
The family of Gay Sherman Weintz, 55, said she died as a result of 24-hour physical restraint, combined with staff at Middlesex Hospital ignoring signs of a medical crisis. Her son, Chauncey Smith, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
Lab owner indicted in $290M COVID fraud scheme pleads not guilty
Mahmood Sami Khan, 36, has been charged on five counts of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the conspiracy. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’
However, those fighting the decision declared victory Monday after filing a lawsuit against the New York Department of Health.
Jury finds PeaceHealth, ER doctor not liable for misdiagnosing patient’s stroke
After a three week trial, a jury found that PeaceHealth and Ralph Weiche, MD, acted in accordance with medical protocols in diagnosing Patricia Parker with a psychiatric condition, given her unusual symptoms.
DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown
Of those arrested, 96 are doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. All face charges related to telehealth prescriptions, illegal opioid distribution and fraudulent billing practices.

Practice can be held liable for deadly on-call interventional radiologist delay, appeals court rules

A 63-year-old man visited the Saint Vincent ED in Worcester, Mass., but was told he couldn't receive a crucial IR service for three days, with no available specialist on hand.

Cardiologist receives 158 years to life in prison for drugging, sexually assaulting multiple women

“You hurt our society," the judge said as he announced the sentencing in front of a packed courtroom. "It is a darker place because of you.”

Feds make it official: Change data breach was the largest in healthcare history, impacting 100M

Updated reporting from HHS shows UnitedHealth Group's estimate that roughly one-third of people in the U.S. would be affected was correct.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York sued over ‘ghost networks’

Thousands of patients have filed a class-action lawsuit against the insurer for issuing directories of providers who were out-of-network and did not take BCBS health plans.

Surprise active shooter drill at children’s psychiatric hospital results in $13M for victims

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services failed to notify staff and law enforcement that a simulation at the state-run facility was taking place, resulting in chaos.

CMS contractor takes $1.2M loss after data breach, DOJ lawsuit

Federal Data Solutions allegedly failed to encrypt screenshots of patient data, stored on a server being paid for with Medicare funds.

money cybersecurity ransomware health IT data breach hacker

Radiology practice must pay $1.85M to settle class action lawsuit stemming from cyberattack

East River Medical Imaging PC experienced the data breach sometime between August and September 2023, with over 533,000 individuals potentially impacted.

Blue Cross settles largest healthcare antitrust case in history for $2.8B

The settlement also includes an agreement for operational changes at all of the insurer's 33 independent partners.

Legal News

Wrongful death lawsuit filed after restrained hospital patient dies of cardiac arrest

Lab owner indicted in $290M COVID fraud scheme pleads not guilty

State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’

Jury finds PeaceHealth, ER doctor not liable for misdiagnosing patient’s stroke

DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown