Legal News

Stories about physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in lawsuits—as either a plaintiff or a defendantor accused of breaking the law. Various legal updates or unusual stories in the news may land here.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk and his business partner abruptly leave DOGE

The billionaire CEO of Tesla said his time serving in an official capacity in the Trump administration is at an end, though he will remain an advisor.

money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

Neurosurgeon awarded $5.8M in whistleblower retaliation lawsuit

This is the second time Mark Linskey, MD, has been awarded a judgement. He claims UC Irvine kicked him out of a residency program when he reported patient safety concerns and multiple incidents of waste at the academic health system. 

Over a dozen lawsuits claim Ozempic and Wegovy caused patients to go blind

The lawsuits, filed in multiple states, contend there's a causal link between semaglutide and a rare condition called NAION that leads to diminished eyesight. Plaintiffs want the popular weight-loss drugs to add a warning label.

Thumbnail

Nursing homes fined $15M for staffing fraud after guilty verdict

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the judgment, which was issued against two facilities in Pennsylvania. The nursing homes fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for working hours despite staff not being on the floor. 

doctor wrong patient wrong-site surgery medical error malpractice mistake

Patient sues surgeon and Allina Health for allegedly removing the wrong organ during surgery

In court documents, an unnamed Minnesota woman said that in 2022, she was admitted to an Allina Health hospital and scheduled for the removal of her infected spleen, only for an error to result in her left kidney being removed instead.

Las Vegas

Lavish kickback scandal costs California health system $32M

Community Health System and Physician Network Advantage, an affiliated technology consultancy firm, were accused of bribing physicians for patient referrals in the form of paid vacations, expensive gifts and business meetings held at strip clubs.

money court scale of justice ruling legal settlement

Johnson & Johnson MedTech ordered to pay $147M for antitrust violations

The company told Cardiovascular Business it respectfully disagrees with the jury's decision and is evaluating all possible legal options going forward. The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, meanwhile, celebrated the news.

UnitedHealthcare HQ Sign

Report: UnitedHealth under investigation by DOJ for criminal fraud

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports that UnitedHealth Group is being investigated for criminal fraud, likely stemming from its Medicare Advantage billing practices.