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.

Appeals court revives suit alleging radiology practice used nonmedical-grade monitors to submit $6M in false claims

The case dates to June 2019 when whistleblower and Arizona IT executive Eric Stenson first filed suit against Tucson-based Radiology Limited.

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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.

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.

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?

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."

Mental health platform fined $7M by FTC for sharing data with advertisers

Cerebral has admitted to improperly sharing data with social media platforms for the purpose of targeted advertising. The company also made it difficult to cancel the service, costing its members millions.

Healthcare worker sentenced to 10 years for abusing disabled patients

Tyler Smith and co-defendant Zachary Dinell confessed to assaulting more than a dozen patients, expressing hatred for them simply because they’re disabled.

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