The Department of Justice has demonstrated a renewed vigor in pursuing healthcare fraud investigations in recent years. The DOJ boasts that it has recovered more than $149 million in 2022 just in COVID-19-related fraud actions. In 2021, they pursued actions totaling more than $1.4 billion in alleged losses. The DOJ’s... Read More »
Corporate diversity, like diversity in education and other arenas, is an ongoing issue. Certain communities are underrepresented in corporate management and, in particular, on corporate boards around the country. The homogeneity at the top trickles down into corporate culture and many other areas, creating a vicious cycle that perpetuates the... Read More »
Several California hospitals recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Department) alleging undercalculation of disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments. DSH is a federal program that provides additional funding to hospitals that treat more low-income patients than the average hospital. The California lawsuit is the... Read More »
In January 2020, a 57-year-old former AT&T employee filed a putative class action alleging that the telecommunications giant engaged in a pattern and practice of age discrimination. The outcome of the case so far provides a case study on how corporations that rely too heavily on anti-litigation agreements can accidentally... Read More »
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans file for individual bankruptcy. 2020 actually saw fewer bankruptcy filings than recent years, with around 520,000 as compared to the 750,000+ filings per year from 2016 through 2019. Regardless, the implication is clear: Bankruptcy is incredibly common and reflects the realities of the... Read More »
The novel coronavirus has uncovered the true colors of individuals and businesses around the globe. Many companies dragged their feet in implementing safety measures, providing personal protective equipment, and allowing for sick leave when the pandemic first began. Now, many businesses have decided unilaterally that the pandemic is over, even... Read More »
Bayer, the manufacturer of the Essure intrauterine device (IUD) along with numerous other pharmaceutical products inside and outside the area of contraception, was recently hit with a lawsuit in New York state court. The lawsuit titled Dains v. Bayer, et al. alleges that the plaintiff was seriously injured as a... Read More »
Any lawyer will tell you that the proper venue can make or break a case. Some jurisdictions are extremely favorable to certain parties, while others can be downright hostile. California courts tend to be very protective of workers and employee rights, and they tend to be less sensitive to corporate... Read More »
We’ve heard it in country songs and seen it on TV sitcoms, and there’s nothing more rueful: “She took my dog in the divorce.” The family dog or cat is more than mere property to “pet parents” around the country. Yet, historically, divorces treat family pets as just that: A... Read More »
The science is clear: The COVID-19 vaccines save lives. They are safe for mass use, and the more people who get their shot, the less likely additional variants will arise that might resist the vaccines. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed to a crawl, however, as certain populations around... Read More »
A former IT security analyst at Sony Interactive Entertainment, makers of the PlayStation, recently filed a lawsuit in California alleging unlawful gender discrimination and retaliation. The fired employee seeks to certify a class of all females employed at the company for the past four years, suggesting that all may have... Read More »
The coronavirus pandemic continues to rage onwards, with the expansion of the Omicron variant and potential new variants on the horizon. The pandemic has had a profound impact on workplace culture, among other things, concerning sick days. Whereas employees in the past would have been likely to show up with... Read More »
The beginning of 2022 saw the death of treasured 90’s sitcom star, comedian, and television host Bob Saget. Although some speculation percolated about the cause of the 65-year-old actor’s death, officials were quick to state that the preliminary investigation indicated no drugs or foul play were involved. The Orange County... Read More »
With the recent passage of the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, House and Senate Democrats are ready to move on to the next flagship item on President Biden’s agenda: the Build Back Better Plan. Build Back Better is a piece of legislation that was originally proposed by President Biden prior... Read More »
The Cuban government recently published the draft of a new family code that would open the door for same-sex marriage and adoption, as well as recognizing surrogacy. The preliminary draft of the family code must be approved by Cuba’s parliament followed by a grassroots plebiscite before going into effect. The... Read More »
