The ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have touched all aspects of American commerce, and the doctor-patient relationship is no exception. Immuno-compromised patients, those with pre-existing conditions, and even the healthy are forgoing doctor visits of all kinds, likely out of fear of contracting the virus. In the first three
Governor Whitmer has built upon prior executive orders and clarified the process for returning to “in-person” work in Michigan via Executive Order 2020-97 (the “Order,” available here). The Order requires that by the later of June 1, 2020, or within two weeks of resuming in-person work, any company operating in
In addition to the Stay-at-Home provisions and exceptions in Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-42 which are outlined below, the Order requires business owners to address three legal requirements to conduct in-person operations. These are: (1) Preparation of a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan consistent with OSHA guidance; (2) determine who,
On March 23, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued a “stay-at-home” order titled Executive Order 2020-21 (“EO 2020-21”). The stated purpose of the Order is to assist in slowing the spread of novel Coronavirus COVID-19 and to protect the healthcare system from being overwhelmed. This article provides an overview of the Order
March 2020
The Ol’ Expert Switcheroo: COA Holds AOM Signed by New Expert “Amendment” and Relates Back
If a plaintiff replaces an affidavit of merit (AOM) signed by an unqualified expert with one signed by a qualified expert, does the subsequent AOM constitute an “amendment” to the original AOM, such that it relates back for statute of limitations purposes? Surprisingly, yes—at least according to the Court of
March 2020
2020 Michigan Non-Economic Damages Caps
The State of Michigan Department of Treasury has announced the 2020 Non-Economic Damages Caps for medical malpractice claims. With respect to obtaining compensation for the injured plaintiff, Michigan has a statutory cap on the amount of noneconomic loss that a plaintiff may be awarded in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Noneconomic
February 2020
COA: Medicaid Lien Reimbursement Made Easy…
On February 4, 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its published opinion in the matter of Theresa Byrnes, et al. v. Jacob Martinez, M.D., et al. This opinion provides much-needed guidance to attorneys and courts regarding the methods used to consider and implement when attempting to settle a lawsuit
January 2020
FDA Says CBD is Illegal to Market & Possibly Unsafe
FBMJ attorneys Kim Sveska and Eric Nordan co-authored “FDA Says CBD Is Illegal To Market And Possibly Unsafe” published in the January 2020 issue of Michigan Pharmacist. The article concentrates on the legal uncertainty of the cannabidiol (CBD) products market.
“FDA Says CBD Is Illegal to Market and Possibly Unsafe” discusses
January 2020
Is Your Vape Safe?
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC), as of January 21, 2020, 2,711 EVALI cases (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) or deaths have been reported to the CDC. There have been sixty (60) confirmed deaths in 27 states and the District of Columbia, including three (3) from