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.

Radiologist reprimanded after writing hundreds of problematic prescriptions
The doctor is accused of doling out dozens drugs such as opioids to herself, friends, family and other acquaintances between 2014 and 2024.
High-level briefing: Sex change-backer wins $2M verdict | Must-knows for healthcare CEOs | Life expectancy up | Vociferous nurses revisited
A malpractice lawsuit filed by a gender detransitioner ended Jan. 30 with a victory for the aggrieved former patient. The decision may set a generalizable precedent since this was the first such suit to reach a courtroom—and since 30 or so others are en route.
Lawsuits filed over allegations of dirty surgical tools, patient infections and defamation
A surgeon and a medical device representative accuse Portneuf Medical Center of failing to address an ongoing problem with contaminated surgical tools that left patients with serious infections.
Legal eagles forecast 3 healthcare AI trends to eyeball in 2026 and beyond
Heated tension between state and federal AI regulators is coming, predict two attorneys subspecialized in AI startup success, data privacy and cybersecurity.
Georgia jury sides with radiologist in negligence case
The rad was accused of writing a “confusing” report that allegedly had long-lasting implications for the plaintiff's child, who was born with severe birth defects.

Federal police seize phones of Steward Health Care executives

According to a report from the Boston Globe, the search warrants were executed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into executives at the bankrupt health system.

healthcare insurance fraud scam scheme legal lawsuit

Texas clinics face potential $300M fine for submitting 20K false claims

A jury found Healthcare Associates of Texas guilty of knowingly submitting tens of thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicare, costing the government more than $2.8 million.

Texas AG sues hospital for $10K after off-duty police barred from carrying guns

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims Memorial Hermann Health System violated a state law that authorizes any establishment serving the public to allow police officers to carry firearms, even if they’re dressed in civilian clothing.

PBMs sue FTC for alleged Fifth Amendment violation

Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx claim the FTC’s internal administrative court is unconstitutional. The agency sued the PBMs in September, claiming they engage in collusive business practices.

Asante Medical facing $488M in lawsuits after fentanyl diversion linked to 16 deaths

The nurse responsible has been charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault. Her criminal trial begins Dec. 30.

Trump selects Emmy-winning TV personality Dr. Oz to head CMS

President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of former "Dr. Oz Show" star Mehmet Oz just days after appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health.

Healthcare hacker sentenced to 10 years in prison

Robert Purbeck, 45, of Georgia was found with data on more than 132,000 individuals taken from various breaches, including multiple providers, a police station and a city government.

Public health contrarian RFK Jr. nominated to HHS secretary

President-elect Donald Trump said he will let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild for a little while” if his appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

Legal News

Radiologist reprimanded after writing hundreds of problematic prescriptions

High-level briefing: Sex change-backer wins $2M verdict | Must-knows for healthcare CEOs | Life expectancy up | Vociferous nurses revisited

Lawsuits filed over allegations of dirty surgical tools, patient infections and defamation

Legal eagles forecast 3 healthcare AI trends to eyeball in 2026 and beyond

Georgia jury sides with radiologist in negligence case