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.

U.S. International Federal Trade Commission reviews ban on new Apple Watch pulse oximeter
Masimo’s complaint over the new version of the Apple Watch could lead to an import ban if it is found that the technology infringes on its patents.
Nebraska’s lawsuit against Optum and Change Healthcare can move forward, judge rules
The UnitedHealth Group subsidiaries had attempted to have the case dismissed. However, a court rejected the motion. Nearly half of Nebraskans were impacted by the infamous February 2024 data breach on Change Healthcare.
Minnesota hospital still pushing noncompetes, despite AG investigation
Such contract clauses are illegal in the state. However, physicians at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth said they’re being pressured to sign them or face dismissal.
Teleradiology firm must pay $715K judgment to overseas outsourced imaging group
Univabs took The Radiology Group to court in May after an independent arbitrator ruled TRG owed the India-based imaging firm the six-figure sum, which it refused to pay.
Toddler dies after allegedly being given 10 times too much potassium due to decimal error
A lawsuit contends that De’Markus Page, 2 years old, died because no one at University of Florida Health’s Shands Teaching Hospital spotted the errors, which should have been labeled as a “red flag” by EHR systems.

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.

Family of heart patient who died after missing medications in jail settles lawsuit

A 54-year-old heart transplant recipient was unable to take doctor-prescribed medications during his brief stay at a local jail. He died a few days after being released.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) HQ

HHS offers update on comms pause as rapid policy shifts continue

A spokesperson told HealthExec that "several types of external communications" are no longer subject to any pause, including urgent public health alerts.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Should emergency medicine malpractice protections extend to consultant radiologists?

A California appeals court recently ruled in favor of on-call radiologist Peymam Kangavari, MD, after he was accused of overlooking a bowel obstruction on X-ray and ultrasound images.

Musk’s DOGE granted access to CMS records in search of ‘big money fraud’

The pseudo-government organization led by billionaire Elon Musk has been given read-only access to payment, contract and staffing records at the agency.

money court scale of justice ruling legal settlement

Oklahoma cardiologist and his clinic pay $270K to settle whistleblower lawsuit

A Tulsa-based cardiology clinic was accused of submitting false claims for E&M services over a period of several years.

Legal News

U.S. International Federal Trade Commission reviews ban on new Apple Watch pulse oximeter

Nebraska’s lawsuit against Optum and Change Healthcare can move forward, judge rules

Minnesota hospital still pushing noncompetes, despite AG investigation

Teleradiology firm must pay $715K judgment to overseas outsourced imaging group

Toddler dies after allegedly being given 10 times too much potassium due to decimal error