Category Archives: General
Holding Florida Nursing Homes Accountable For Fall Injuries
Unintentional falls are the number one reason people aged 65 and older visit emergency rooms for medical treatment, and they are also the top cause of fatalities in this age group. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25 percent of older Americans experience a fall every year; 1… Read More »
False Claims Act Settlement: Florida Health Company Will Pay $24.5 Million
On April 12th, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Physician Partners of America LLC (PPOA)—a pain management relief center based in Tampa, Florida—has agreed to pay nearly $25 million as part of a False Claims Act investigation. The company allegedly engaged in a number of different violations, including overbilling of a federal… Read More »
DOJ Charges Nearly Two Dozen In $150 Million COVID Fraud Schemes
According to a report from the Associated Press (AP), the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced COVID-19 related fraud charges against 21 individuals in several different alleged fraud schemes. In its official press release, the DOJ emphasized that the crackdown occurred as part of a coordinated enforcement action. Here, our Florida COVID-19 fraud attorneys… Read More »
Private Bus Company Agrees To Pay $20 Million To Settle False Claims Act Lawsuit
On February 11th, 2022, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General announced that Academy Bus, LLC, a transportation company that provides services through the East Coast, agreed to pay more than $20 million to resolve a False Claims Act lawsuit. Notably, the underlying allegations of government fraud were initially raised by a whistleblower. The… Read More »
Top 4 Nursing Errors in Florida Healthcare Facilities
Few people would deny that nurses are among the hardest working people in Florida, but even these dedicated employees have their limitations when overworked. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the odds of nurses committing an error increases three-fold when they work more than 12 hours compared to 8-hour… Read More »
Daughter Of Former South Florida Mayor Sentenced To Prison In COVID-19 Fraud Case
On January 31st, 2022, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that Damara Holness, the 29-year-old daughter of the former Mayor of Broward County, has been sentenced to 2 months in federal prison for her role in a COVID-19 related fraud scheme. In this article, our Florida COVID-19 fraud lawyers provide an overview… Read More »
Inside the Year’s Largest False Claims Act Case
The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal law that imposes legal liability on individuals, businesses, and organizations that defraud the government. Under the FCA, a private individual who files a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government to stop fraud receives special whistleblower protections. Notably, the government recovered more than $2.2 billion… Read More »
How To Report A Quality Of Care Violation In A Nursing Home In Florida
We rely on nursing homes to care for our most vulnerable loved ones. Sadly, in far too many cases, nursing homes fail to live up to their basic responsibilities. According to data cited by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), approximately 1 in 5 nursing homes nationwide were cited for serious quality violations in 2015…. Read More »
False Claims Amendments Act Of 2021 Still Winding Its Way Through Congress
Originally signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the False Claims Act (FCA) is one of the most powerful legal tools to stop fraud against the government. Notably, the FCA allows private citizens to initiate a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government when the person uncovers fraudulent activity, and provides special protections… Read More »
DOJ: Chiropractor Pleads Guilty, Will Pay $9 Million In False Claims Act Case
On November 23th, 2021, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $9 million False Claims Act (FCA) settlement with a South Carolina-based chiropractor named Daniel McCollum. Mr. McCollum was accused of paying illegal kickbacks and defrauding federal programs. Here, our Florida government program fraud attorneys provide a more detailed explanation of the… Read More »
Do Florida Parents Have Rights When Their Teen’s Suicide Was Preventable?
The relationship between a patient and mental health professional is one of the most intensely personal in all of medicine, so it is not surprising that the implications of psychiatric malpractice can be devastating. For parents of troubled teens, the outlook is especially concerning. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), suicide is the… Read More »
How Overworking And Understaffing Increases Nursing Errors In Florida Hospitals
Nurses play a critical role in a hospital, handling numerous, varied aspects of treatment and management to support quality patient care. Disruptions can lead to serious harm, which is why many in the medical field have expressed concerns about the implications of COVID-19. However, survey results gathered before the pandemic indicate that there have… Read More »
3 Freidin Brown, P.A. Lawyers Acknowledged In 2022 Edition Of Best Lawyers In America
August 18, 2021 — Freidin Brown, P.A. is pleased to announce that Philip Freidin and Joel H. Brown have been included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has published their list for over… Read More »
Florida Care Not Provided Lawyer
Billing For Care Not Provided Many Floridians rely on Medicare to cover designated medical expenses, and health care providers who offer services recoup their fees through this federal health insurance program. Unfortunately, there are some physicians and practices that take advantage of the system. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS),… Read More »
Protection From NLRA Retaliation
Since 1935, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) has protected the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and other “concerted activity” for their mutual aid and protection. Under the NLRA, covered workers have the right to join or not join a union or engage in union activity. The NLRA protects more than… Read More »