From health system leaders seeking the dismissal of criminal charges to a physician arrested in connection with a murder, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Chicago-area counties file opioid epidemic lawsuits: 3 things to know
Cook County and five other counties encompassing Chicago suburbs recently filed lawsuits against drugmakers for the companies' alleged roles in facilitating Illinois' opioid epidemic.
2. Employee-patient claims co-workers photographed her during surgery
A Washington (Pa.) Hospital employee who underwent an operation at her workplace filed a complaint in Washington County Court against the hospital, a physician and several hospital staff members, who were allegedly involved in taking and later sharing photos of her genitals during the procedure.
3. Minor sues Geisinger, physician over alleged sexual assault
Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger and a former Geisinger physician face charges after a minor in Lackawanna County, Pa., filed suit, alleging the physician sexually assaulted her during an educational program.
4. North Carolina AG accuses Insys of illegally pushing fentanyl, files lawsuit
Josh Stein, North Carolina's attorney general, filed a lawsuit against Insys Therapeutics for allegedly conducting a deceptive marketing campaign to promote its fentanyl-based painkiller Subsys, which is meant to exclusively treat breakthrough cancer pain.
5. Physician arrested in connection with murder in Mississippi
Authorities arrested two people, including Larry Cooper, MD, as he reported to work at a hospital, in connection with the murder of a man in Mississippi.
6. Broward Health leaders allege prosecutorial misconduct: 5 things to know
Five leaders of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health facing criminal charges filed a motion Dec. 19, arguing the indictment against them should be dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct and grand jury abuse.
7. Physician-owned medical management company admits to $3.4M false claims scheme
Irving, Texas-based medical management company Limbic Partners agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud for submitting false claims for anesthesia services.
8. MU Health Care settles class-action lawsuit over payroll practices for $3.6M
Columbia-based University of Missouri Health Care agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by two employees claiming the health system was "unjustly enriched" by the setup of its timekeeping system.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Man indicted on murder charges for fatal shooting at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
2 physician groups will pay $33M to settle kickback allegations: 6 things to know
DOJ: Man treated nearly 2 dozen patients while posing as physician in Virginia