Litigation
Away With Solowy? Supreme Court Takes Up Appeal that Could Lead to Expansion of 6-Month Discovery Rule
By: Christina J. Green, Nicole C. Joseph-Windecker and Mitchell C. JacksonHow long does a plaintiff have to file a medical malpractice case? Well, that could be changing soon, as the Michigan Supreme Court recently took up an appeal that may give plaintiffs more time to file suit. This appeal could impact the healthcare community and its insurers for decades to come due to its potential to expa
Federal Courts Issue Rulings on 1st Amendment Rights During COVID-19
Most state governments have responded to COVID-19 with executive orders and laws that restrict the public from certain activities, including religious assembly. Such limitations on activities protected by the First Amendment have resulted in a flurry of lawsuits – at least one that reached the Supreme Court – alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations that raise a critical question: Ho
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 Appeal’s recent opinion in Legion-London v. Surgical Inst. of Mich Ambulatory Surg
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 damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for injuries and l
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 involving a Medicaid lienholder. The opinion also provides specific guidance regarding how t
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 hemp and the confusion regarding its removal from the controlled
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 Michigan. More deaths are under investigation. So far, 82% of EVALI patients reported usin
Attorneys Baron, Cortez & Nordan Co-Author Article for CLM Magazine – “The Path Forward For Cannabis”
FBMJ attorneys Richard Baron, Daniel Cortez and Eric Nordan co-authored “The Path Forward For Cannabis,” published in the December 2019 issue of CLM Magazine. The article focuses on legal and regulatory developments in 2019 that signal clarity and confusion for insurers.“The Path Forward For Cannabis” discusses a look back at the developments in the cannabis industry in 2019, including the
Attorneys Fruchey & Tatro Co-Author Article for MDTC Quarterly – “PFAS Litigation: An Overview of Cases, Claims, Defenses, Verdicts & Settlements”
FBMJ attorneys Benjamin Fruchey and Nicholas Tatro co-authored “PFAS Litigation: An Overview of Cases, Claims, Defenses, Verdicts & Settlements,” published in the December 2019 issue of Michigan Defense Quarterly, Volume 36, No. 2 - 2019. The article, as the title suggests, focuses on contamination cases involving Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) litigated cases.“PFAS Litigatio
FBMJ Attorney Featured Speaker at Annual Nursing Professional Development Day
On November 7, 2019, FBMJ attorney, Sarah Tupica Berard, presented “Anatomy of a Lawsuit” at Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills at its Second Annual Nursing Professional Development Day. The presentation was designed to enhance the nursing staff’s understanding of the litigation process, best practices in documentation and the interplay between documentation and giving a deposition in a malp