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.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Music bingo leads to patient’s death during routine cataract surgery

In a settled lawsuit, a surgeon and anesthesiologist admitted to playing the game and missing an alarm that warned them a 56-year-old patient had stopped breathing.

Dignity Health facing lawsuits over alleged failure to notify families of patient deaths

A California health system and a local morgue are facing accusations of gross negligence after the bodies of missing persons were discovered—some with identification still on them. The state Department of Public Health is investigating the incidents.

Humana

Humana files second lawsuit challenging Medicare Advantage star ratings

The insurer is challenging three phone calls made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that led to a docked rating for some of Humana’s plans. A previous challenge, which broadly contested the agency’s star rating criteria, was dismissed.

cybercrime data breaches in healthcare

One of America’s oldest continuously operating radiology groups suffers apparent cyberattack

Radiology Associates of Richmond, Virginia, first discovered the breach in May following an extensive forensic investigation. 

Department of Justice DOJ

DOJ accuses doctor of illegally prescribing opiates in exchange for sex

Ritesh Kalra, MD, allegedly wrote 31,000 opioid prescriptions between 2019 and 2025, many of which were illegitimate. He is accused of inappropriately touching patients in exchange for oxycodone scripts as part of a five-count criminal indictment.

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RadNet finalizes $103M acquisition of breast AI vendor iCAD amid legal opposition

ICAD shareholders filed suit against the transaction last month in New York, claiming financial estimates used in the deal are misleading. 

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Steward sues former CEO over alleged pilfering that contributed to bankruptcy

Former Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, and other executives are accused in a $1.4 billion legal filing of paying themselves hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses, despite the health system being insolvent.

Blue Cross Blue Shield BCBS

Hospital sues insurer over use of AI to deny $2M in claims

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission is suing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City over its AI claims audits, which have rejected some 350 incidents of patient care. The hospital claims the insurer is violating state and federal laws.