The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a study titled “CFPB Data Point: Medical Debt and Credit Scores” on May 20, 2014, which found that consumers’ credit scores may be overly penalized for medical debt that goes into collections and shows up on their credit report. The study also found […]
New York Times Magazine Article Illustrates How Forced Arbitration Harms Consumers
A New York Times magazine story written by Emily Bazelon illustrates how forced arbitration denies consumers justice and the benefits of consumer protection laws. The piece titled “How Payday Lenders Prey Upon The Poor – And The Courts Don’t Help” was published April 18, 2014. The article focuses on payday […]
North Carolina Man Will Receive New Trial After 19 Years In Prison
Due to misconduct on the part of a North Carolina prosecutor and a Durham police detective, a North Carolina judge ordered last week that an inmate who has been imprisoned for 19 years and who has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence will receive a new trial. Darryl Anthony Howard was arrested […]
Medtronic Settles Whistleblower Lawsuit
On May 28, 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the settlement of a qui tam (“whistleblower”) lawsuit against Medtronic, Inc. over allegations that the medical device company improperly paid doctors to implant the company’s pacemakers and defibrillators. The settlement brings to an end a case initially brought forth five […]
Workers’ Comp: Cost of State Claims Is Due to Short-Sighted, Ineffective Risk Management Policies
Since the economic crisis of 2008, I have been predicting that North Carolina politicians would declare a ‘crisis’ over the cost of workers’ compensation claims for State employees, teachers, and school-bus drivers. (Currently, the State is responsible for the workplace injury claims of all these groups.) I have also predicted […]
Workers’ Comp: Democrats Object to Governor’s Industrial Commission Nominee
A story published today in the Raleigh News & Observer notes that Democratic lawmakers are objecting to Governor McCrory’s appointment of Charlton Allen as a Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. The six Commissioners of the Industrial Commission, including Chairman Andrew Heath, govern the agency. Perhaps their most important […]
WRAL Airs Story on How to Survive a Hospital Stay
WRAL’s 5 On Your Side recently ran a story on medical mistakes and gave suggestions on “how to survive a hospital stay.” Monica Laliberte interviewed John James whose analysis was published in the Journal of Patient Safety. Mr. James estimated 440,000 people a year die from medical mistakes. The analysis […]
NC False Claims Cases Partially Settled
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intervened in two False Claims Act cases pending in federal court in North Carolina. DOJ also revealed that settlements were reached with several California-based construction businesses and two individuals to partially resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that the defendants conspired to […]
Home Health Company to Pay $150M to Resolve False Claim Allegations
Amedisys, Inc. and its affiliates have agreed to pay $150 million to the federal government to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by submitting false home healthcare billings to the Medicare program. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the settlement on April 23, 2014. Amedisys is one […]
General Mills Backtracks on Arbitration Policy
The General Mills Corporation apologized and quickly retreated from a policy change which inserted a forced arbitration clause into its terms of service. The company, which makes popular cereal brands such as Cheerios and Cocoa Puffs, created a social media firestorm when it quietly added language to its website to […]
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“Forest, once again, my family and I thank you for obtaining another settlement on behalf of my Father. It’s almost uncanny that these checks seem to come at very opportune times. This one comes as we are expecting our fourth grandchild. It will provide her some sound footing towards her future college education, plus help Mom and Dad with the medical expenses. Sometimes, I think my Dad is helping you guys with this. Maybe so. Anyway, thank you again for your hard work.”
– Mike
