Recent Blog Posts
Major False Claims Act Settlement: Pharmaceutical Company Will Pay $900 Million
According to a report from Reuters, Biogen—the American multinational pharmaceutical giant with headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts—has reached an agreement in principle to pay approximately $900 million to resolve a False Claims Act lawsuit. The preliminary settlement was reached days before the trial was set to begin. The pharmaceutical company was accused of paying illegal… Read More »
Four Elements in a Medical Malpractice Claim in Florida
Though every U.S. state has enacted laws covering medical malpractice claims and the legal process, there are subtle differences among the jurisdictions. Florida’s malpractice laws can be quite nuanced and complex. Negligence has a precise definition in the practice of law and a very specific application in medical malpractice cases. When trying to recover… Read More »
Hospital Errors With Lab Tests: Concerns And Harm To Patients
Whether a patient is hospitalized for emergency treatment, an elective surgery, or other ailment, the hospital’s laboratory will play a central role with care. Lab tests and screenings are critical for diagnosing a medical condition, so that health care providers can develop a strategy and get started with proper treatment. You might not expect… Read More »
Damages For Nursing Home Abuse: Impact Of Age On Compensation
Nursing home abuse and neglect are intolerable, and the laws in Florida are harsh on facilities that cause harm to residents. A resident, often through family members, has the right to pursue an assisted living center for all injuries resulting from intentional misconduct or negligence. Florida’s statute allows civil enforcement, so it is possible… Read More »
DOJ Says Supreme Court Should Not Review False Claims Act Dispute
According to a report from Reuters, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is saying that the Supreme Court of the United States should not review a False Claims Act dispute. The DOJ contends that there is no sufficiently large circuit split for the nation’s top court to get involved in the matter. Here, our whistleblower… Read More »
False Claims Act: North Carolina Health Company Pays $2.1 Million To Resolve Medicaid Billing Fraud Case
On June 1st, 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced that Healthkeeperz, Inc.—a health care behavioral services company with a main office in Robeson County, NC—has agreed to pay more than $2 million to resolve an improper Medicaid billing case. The legal claim was initiated by a… Read More »
Health Company Pays $4.625 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit
On June 21st, 2022, the United States District Attorneys’ Office for the District of Massachusetts announced a $4.625 million settlement in a major False Claims Act case. The lawsuit—which was initiated by whistleblowers as part of a qui tam claim—was brought against Molina Healthcare, Inc. and one of its former subsidiary companies called Pathways… Read More »
Proving A Florida Preventable Suicide Claim
Suicide has been a major public health issue in the US for decades, and it is disturbing to learn that rates are on the rise despite initiatives to get help for those with mental health issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US,… Read More »
Breast Cancer Staging And Treatment Options
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, having overtaken lung cancer for the first time and rising to become the second leading cause of cancer death in 2020. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) also reports that a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 14 seconds, and this type of… Read More »
Three Florida Pharmacies Agree To Pay More Than $830,000 In False Claims Act Case
On June 29th, 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida confirmed that three Miami-Dade County pharmacies—Habana Hospital Pharmacy, Inc., Longevity Drugs, LLC, and Forest Hill Pharmacy, LLC—have agreed to pay more than $830,000 as a part of a False Claims Act case. Regulators determined that the pharmacies had an… Read More »
Almost Three-Quarters Of Physicians Are Now Hospital Employees
COVID-19 has impacted Florida health care professionals in many immeasurable, devastating ways, but there is one unexpected consequence that you might not consider. A recent study revealed that almost 74 percent of physicians are hospital or corporate employees, and the pandemic was a motivating factor. The proportion of doctors who became employed by hospitals,… Read More »
4 Florida Laws That Apply To Hospital Errors Cases
Safety should be a top priority at Florida hospitals, but data reveals that some health care facilities fall short when it comes to exposing patients to a risk of harm. In an article published by Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, researchers reported that more than 200,000 individuals die from hospital errors every year, including health… Read More »
What To Do If You Suffered Injuries Because Of Hospital Negligence
Hospitals are where people head for the treatment of medical conditions, so it is disturbing to learn how frequently patients suffer additional injuries or ailments because of being hospitalized. Estimates on patient harm associated with hospital care reveal that more than 210,000 fatalities are linked to preventable harm by hospital administration, staff, and other… Read More »
Notice Of Intent To Sue Requirement In Florida Medical Malpractice Cases
Though medical malpractice is a type of personal injury claim, there are additional details, requirements, and concepts that apply to these cases under Florida law. One important factor is that a plaintiff is required to conduct a reasonable investigation before filing a lawsuit, and the statute is very specific on how to meet the… Read More »
What Is The Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect?
There are many statistics on the incidence of nursing home neglect and abuse in Florida and throughout the US, but data also indicates that the problem exists on a global scale. A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that 1 in 6 individuals living in assisted living facilities suffered some form of… Read More »