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.

AI workslop rework

AI roundup: Of workslop and rework | Patent that tech, industry player | Artificial Intellectualism, anyone?

Across industries, more than a third of the time saved by AI gets eaten by overstretched humans who have to clean up the technology’s sloppy work. 

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Rape charges against Texas cardiologist dropped as part of plea agreement

The traveling clinician pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree assault. All other charges were dropped, and he was released from jail. According to his attorney, the cardiologist agreed to this plea agreement to "get on with his life." 

Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data

In a lawsuit, the EHR giant accuses Health Gorilla, et al., of posing as patient care entities to gain access to nearly 300,000 medical records, in violation of HIPAA. Health Gorilla vehemently denies the allegations.

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Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments

The Wall Street Journal obtained a copy of a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which reviewed more than 50,000 documents sent by UnitedHealth related to its Medicare Advantage patients. The outlet published the findings of the inquiry. 

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Lawsuit alleges crew failed to act after man suffered stroke on flight

According to a new wrongful death lawsuit, members of the flight crew failed to pick up on a man's stroke symptoms, resulting in significant care delays. His family is now suing for damages in excess of $50,000.

Take Care of Maya johns hopkins attorneys seek retrial

Radiology-related errors have cost hospital system over $2M in recent years

A spokesperson for the organization described such errors as “sincerely regrettable,” adding that the mistakes go against their aim “to provide the best and safest care possible for our patients.” 

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Doctor faces 58 counts of unlawful opioid distribution, fraud as part of 'pill mill' operation

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that 52-year-old Ritesh Kalra, MD, wrote 50 prescriptions a day for addictive painkillers and billed New Jersey Medicaid for patient visits that never occurred. The alleged incidents occurred between 2019 and 2025.

Jefferson Health

Large nonprofit health system sues PBMs, drug companies over insulin prices

Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health has accused the three biggest PBMs—Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx—of a de facto collusion scheme involving the primary makers of insulin, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. The lawsuit alleges rebates offered by the manufacturers unfairly burden self-insured and public health plans, like the one the health system uses for its employees.