HHS Official Predicts HIPAA Fines Will Increase This Year

According to a political website, a Chief Regional Counsel predicted that HIPAA fines will increase in the coming year, stating this was based on the number of matters in HHS’s pipeline. Consistent with the saying “The cobbler’s children go unshod,” HHS could probably increase that number substantially if they also audited ...

US Recouped $3.8B From False Claims Settlements in 2013

Recoveries were down last year, but still quite significant. Could it be that the “low hanging fruit” is already gone? Or, could it be that it’s just a natural variation. Nevertheless, this is probably not an indicator that there’s less fraud. To read the USDOJ’s full press release, click here.

Bird Marella Obtains Denial of Class Certification for Xerox

After briefing and oral argument in the defense of Xerox State and Local Solutions, Inc., Bird Marella attorneys Thomas V. Reichert, David I. Hurwitz, and Ekwan E. Rhow successfully secured an order from the Federal District Court in Los Angeles, denying the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification.

Bird Marella Wins 8th Amendment Pro Bono Case in Louisiana

Bird Marella attorneys Mitchell Kamin and Nilay Vora obtained declaratory and injunctive relief for three Death Row inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola (“Angola”). The Judge found that the excessive summer heat conditions of confinement on Angola’s death row constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the ...