Texas Probate Law, Inheritance, and Out of State Relatives

Texas Will Probate Lawyer and Texas Estate Lawyer for Out of State Relatives

Many families have spread out throughout the United States and around the World. For many families, gone is the time where several generations live with in a few miles of each other in the same town, city, or county. This disbursement of families throughout the United States and the World can make if difficult when a family member in Texas passes away.

For the family member that lives out of state and has never been through the Texas probate process, Texas Probate Law and Texas Probate Courts can be overwhelming. At a time when they want to grieve the loss of their loved one, they are forced to deal with difficult issues including:

1) Who should be in control of their loved ones' estate?
2) What needs to be done to have an administrator or executor appointed?
3) What is probate & non-probate property?
4) What should be done to protect estate property?
5) How does someone probate a Will?
6) How should estate property be transferred to beneficiaries? Can it be sold?

It is often helpful to speak with and hire a Texas probate lawyer to help take care of many of the probate issues. A Texas probate lawyer can help "out of town" relatives through the probate process and taking care of the ir loved ones' estate. This is extremely helpful when relatives and loved ones want to focus on the grieving process instead of learning Texas Probate Law and navigating Texas Probate Courts.

Locating Unclaimed Texas Wealth, Estate Assets, and Non-Probate Assets (Real Estate, Oil Interests, Bank Accounts, & Stock)

In addition to what is inherited, there is a significant amount of unclaimed wealth including bank accounts, houses, oil interests, safety deposit boxes, stocks, and other wealth that is forgotten about. In our modern society families don't always live close and some wealth is lost or forgotten. Death or incapacity is not always anticipated and many people will unfortunately loose track of stocks, bank accounts, oil interests, and other wealth. It is a good idea to keep a safety deposit box with an inventory of all your assets and have people that you trust that can get access to your safety deposit box should something happen to you.

It is also becoming more common for family members not living close to a recently deceased relative to not know how to handle a probate matter or have enough money to clear title to property. In these instances it is good to locate a local attorney that can assist in appraising an estate including real estate and houses to determine if it would be beneficial to probate an estate or to determine the most efficient method to clear title to property.

Locating Unclaimed Texas Wealth, Estate Assets, and Non-Probate Assets (Real Estate, Oil Interests, Bank Accounts, & Stock)

In addition to what is inherited, there is a significant amount of unclaimed wealth including bank accounts, houses, oil interests, safety deposit boxes, stocks, and other wealth that is forgotten about. In our modern society families don't always live close and some wealth is lost or forgotten. Death or incapacity is not always anticipated and many people will unfortunately loose track of stocks, bank accounts, oil interests, and other wealth. It is a good idea to keep a safety deposit box with an inventory of all your assets and have people that you trust that can get access to your safety deposit box should something happen to you.

It is also becoming more common for family members not living close to a recently deceased relative to not know how to handle a probate matter or have enough money to clear title to property. In these instances it is good to locate a local attorney that can assist in appraising an estate including real estate and houses to determine if it would be beneficial to probate an estate or to determine the most efficient method to clear title to property.

Austin Texas Inheritance Lawyer, Jason Coomer helps families evaluate the estates of their lost loved ones to determine if a full probate is necessary and if so if the probate is economically feasible.

Austin Texas Estate, Probate, and Inheritance Lawyer

Austin Texas Probate Lawyer Jason Coomer handles Texas Probate matters including probating Wills, helping Executors, drafting Wills, contesting Wills, filing Suits to Determine Rightful Heirs of property and estates, filing Small Estate Affidavits, filing Affidavits of Heirship, filing Applications for Guardianships, fighting Involuntary Guardianships, filing Guardianship Reports, filing breach of fiduciary duty claims, estate planning, and clearing title to property & assets.

Texas Will Contest Lawyer, Texas Will Probate Lawyer, and Texas Estate Lawyer Handles Probate and Estate Matters for Out of State Beneficiaries and Heirs as well as Grieving Loved Ones
(Texas Will Contest, Estate, and Probate Lawyer Jason Coomer)

Texas Will Contest, Will Probate, and Estate Lawyer Jason Coomer represents heirs, family members, and beneficiaries including those from out of state that need to have a Will probated, a Will contested, or an Estate taken through probate. He probates Wills and contests Wills in the Austin Area including Travis County, Williamson County, Bexar County, and Hays County as well as works with other Texas probate lawyers across Texas including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Dallas County, Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Tarrant County.

For more information on this Austin Texas Estate Lawyer for an Austin Texas Will Probate or Travis County Estate Matter, feel free to go to the following web page, Austin Texas Will Probate and Estate Lawyer.

Off-Label Drug Marketing and Off-Label Pharmaceutical Marketing Medicare Fraud Lawsuits

Off-Label Drug Marketing and Off-Label Pharmaceutical Marketing Medicare Fraud Lawsuits

Off-label marketing is the practice of pharmaceutical marketing professionals creating financial incentives and pressuring doctors to prescribe pharmaceuticals for an unapproved uses. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) reviews a company's New Drug Application (NDA) for data from clinical trials to see if the results support the drug for a specific use or indication. If satisfied that the drug is safe and effective, the drug's manufacturer and the FDA agree on specific language describing dosage, route of administration, and other information to be included on the drug's label. More detail is included in the drug's package insert.

The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (”FDCA”), provides a specific regulation process for the approval of new drugs and new drug formulations intended to be marketed for use in interstate commerce. Under the FDCA, a new drug product cannot be marketed unless the FDA approves the product and determines that it is safe and effective for its intended use. When the FDA approves a drug, it approves the drug only for the particular use for which it was tested, but after the drug is approved for a particular use, the FDCA does not regulate how the drug may be prescribed by doctors. Thus, a drug that has been tested and approved by the FDA for one use only can also be prescribed by a physician for another use, known as off-label. Though physicians may prescribe drugs for off-label usage, the FDA prohibits drug manufacturers from marketing or promoting a drug for a use that the FDA has not approved.

In the past ten years some pharmaceutical marketing departments have found it extremely profitable to market their drug for non-FDA approved uses. The FDA's inability to regulate physicians allowed the drug company marketing departments and drug representatives to set up elaborate schemes to encourage physicians to prescribe drugs for off-label uses including misleading doctors as to the efficacy of a drug for a particular treatment and forms of kickbacks including vacations, conferences, initial free samples, hiring physician's families.

Penalties for Off-Label Drug Marketing and Whistleblower Rewards for Stopping Off-Label Pharmaceutical Marketing

Pfizer has paid a total of $2.75 billion in off-label penalties since 2004 which is a little more than 1 percent of the company’s revenue of $245 billion from 2004 to 2008.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES LARGEST HEALTH CARE FRAUD SETTLEMENT IN ITS HISTORY

Pfizer To Pay $2.3 Billion For Fraudulent Marketing

WASHINGTON – American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together “Pfizer”) have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.

Pharmacia & Upjohn Company has agreed to plead guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for misbranding Bextra with the intent to defraud or mislead. Bextra is an anti-inflammatory drug that Pfizer pulled from the market in 2005. Under the provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, a company must specify the intended uses of a product in its new drug application to FDA. Once approved, the drug may not be marketed or promoted for so-called “off-label” uses – i.e., any use not specified in an application and approved by FDA. Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra for several uses and dosages that the FDA specifically declined to approve due to safety concerns. The company will pay a criminal fine of $1.195 billion, the largest criminal fine ever imposed in the United States for any matter. Pharmacia & Upjohn will also forfeit $105 million, for a total criminal resolution of $1.3 billion.

In addition, Pfizer has agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve allegations under the civil False Claims Act that the company illegally promoted four drugs – Bextra; Geodon, an anti-psychotic drug; Zyvox, an antibiotic; and Lyrica, an anti-epileptic drug – and caused false claims to be submitted to government health care programs for uses that were not medically accepted indications and therefore not covered by those programs. The civil settlement also resolves allegations that Pfizer paid kickbacks to health care providers to induce them to prescribe these, as well as other, drugs. The federal share of the civil settlement is $668,514,830 and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $331,485,170. This is the largest civil fraud settlement in history against a pharmaceutical company.

Pharmaceutical Marketing Executives, Drug Representatives, Lawyers, Hospital Administrators, Health Care Professionals, Accountants, Benefit Coordinators, Drug Representatives, Marketing Professionals, Physicians as Health Care Fraud and Qui Tam Whistleblowers Are Stepping Forward to File Health Care Billing Fraud Law Suits (Off-Label Pharmaceutical Whistleblower Qui Tam Law Suits)

Through Whistleblower Lawsuits, Qui Tam Lawsuits, and other Health Care Fraud Lawsuits, hundreds of billions of dollars have been recovered from individuals and organizations that have committed health care fraud and stolen large amounts of money from the government. It is extremely important that Whistleblowers continue to expose fraud schemes, off-label marketing schemes, illegal kickbacks, fraudulent billing practices and unnecessary treatments that cost hundreds of billions of dollars. For more information on this topic including Off-Label Drug Medicare Fraud Lawyers, go to the following web page Off-Label Pharmaceutical Medicare Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits.

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits and GERD Treatment Lawsuits

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Neurological Disorder Lawsuits
(GERD and GER Drug Reaction Lawyer)

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that exhibits itself through repetitive, involuntary, & purposeless movements like grimacing; tongue protrusion; lip smacking, puckering & pursing; and rapid eye blinking. Victims of tardive dyskinesia also can exhibit rapid & involuntary movements of the arms and legs. The neurological disorder can be caused by Reglan Tablets, Reglan Oral Disintegrating Tablets, Metoclopramide Oral Solution, and Reglan Injections.

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits (GER and GERD Malpractice Lawsuits)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food.

When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.

An estimated two-thirds of all infants suffer from GER, though the pathological condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) affects approximately only one in 300 babies.

Reglan is a neuroleptic medication used to treat gastrointestinal problems that have had many cases of Tardive Dyskinesia reported in response to it. Reglan is supposed to increase the stomach and small intestine contractions to help the passage of food. As every medication, Reglan has side effects associated to it and some of them are very serious. In February 1996, the FDA warned that Reglan causes an increased risk of Parkinsonism.

Reglan is a dopamine antagonist that increases lower esophageal sphincter pressure and improves gastrointestinal emptying. The FDA approved Reglan, which is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, for short-term treatment (between 4 and 12 weeks) of these conditions only after conservative methods of treatment have failed. However, it is common that patients are prescribed Reglan for longer than 12 weeks, which is against FDA recommendations.

This is problematic because prolonged use of Reglan can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, a serious and often irreversible movement disorder. Infants who are given Reglan appear to be at an even greater risk for this serious drug side effect.

The symptoms a person can experience from Tardive Dyskinesia can vary from mild barely noticeable facial ticks and involuntary movements to severe problems. Severe cases of Tardive Dyskinesia can have a significant impact on a person's life disabling them from normal functioning. Severe facial ticks and involuntary body movements can be extremely embarrassing cause a person to withdraw from social interactions.

FDA Requires Boxed Warning for Reglan and other Metoclopramide Containing Drugs (Tardive Dyskinesia GER and GERD Lawsuits)

On February 26, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that manufacturers of metoclopramide, a drug used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, must add a boxed warning to their drug labels about the risk of its long-term or high-dose use. Chronic use of metoclopramide has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs are no longer taken.

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Neurological Disorder Lawsuits
(GERD and GER Drug Reaction Reglan Lawyer)

For more information on how the use of metoclopramide and Reglan have been linked to tardive dyskinesia and other causes of Tardive Dyskinesia, please go to the following website, Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits, Gastroenterologist malpractice Lawsuits, and GERD/GER Drug Reaction Neurological Disorder Lawsuits.

Neurontin Suicide Lawsuits, Gabapentin Off-Label Use Lawsuits and Neurontin Attempted Suicide Lawsuits

Neurontin Suicide Lawsuits (Off-label Gabapentin Suicide Lawyer)

Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) is a GABA analogue. It was originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, but has been aggressively marketed for many off-label uses including to relieve pain, migraine headaches, neuropathic pain, nystagmus, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, mood-stabilizing treatment for bipolar disorder, menopausal hot flashes, and idiopathic subjective tinnitus. The FDA has issued a warning of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients taking gabapentin.

Neurontin FDA Actions and Warnings (Gabapentin Suicide Lawsuits)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients taking gabapentin. An independent analysis by the FDA showed that anticonvulsant drugs, including gabapentin, can increase suicidal thoughts in patients. The approved label for Neurontin now includes a warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions and a guide to help patients understand this risk.

Off-Label Marketing Claims and Off-Label Marketing Lawsuits

The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (”FDCA”), provides a systematic scheme for the approval of new drugs and new drug formulations intended to be marketed for use in interstate commerce. Under the FDCA, a new drug product cannot be marketed unless the FDA approves the product and determines that it is safe and effective for its intended use. When the FDA approves a drug, it approves the drug only for the particular use for which it was tested, but after the drug is approved for a particular use, the FDCA does not regulate how the drug may be prescribed. Thus, a drug that has been tested and approved for one use only can also be prescribed by a physician for another use, known as “off-label.”

Though physicians may prescribe drugs for off-label usage, the FDA prohibits drug manufacturers from marketing or promoting a drug for a use that the FDA has not approved. A manufacturer illegally “misbrands” a drug if the drug’s labeling includes information about its unapproved uses. A drug is deemed misbranded unless its labeling bears adequate directions for use. The courts have agreed with the FDA that the FDCA requires information not only on how a product is to be used (e.g. dosage and administration), but also on all the intended uses of the product. Oral statements and materials presented at industry-support scientific and educational activities may provide evidence of a product’s intended use. If these statements or materials promote a use that is inconsistent with the product’s approved labeling, the product is misbranded under the FDCA for failure to bear labeling with adequate directions for all intended uses.

Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) has been aggressively marketed for many off-label uses including to relieve pain, migraine headaches, neuropathic pain, nystagmus, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, mood-stabilizing treatment for bipolar disorder, menopausal hot flashes, and idiopathic subjective tinnitus. This off-label marketing for Neurontin is a serious problem in that the FDA has issued a warning of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients taking Neurotin.

It is estimated that over 90 percent of Pfizer's revenue from Neurontin which is in the billions of dollars is from off-label use.

FDA Requires Warnings about Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior for Antiepileptic Medications

In December 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will require the manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs to add to these products' prescribing information, or labeling, a warning that their use increases risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality). The action includes all antiepileptic drugs including those used to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headaches and other conditions, as well as epilepsy.

The FDA is also requiring the manufacturers to submit for each of these products a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, including a Medication Guide for patients. Medication Guides are manufacturer-developed handouts that are given to patients, their families and caregivers when a medicine is dispensed. The guides will contain FDA-approved information about the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with the class of antiepileptic medications.

"Patients being treated with antiepileptic drugs for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior," said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. " Patients who are currently taking an antiepileptic medicine should not make any treatment changes without talking to their health care professional."

The FDA today also disseminated information to the public about the risks associated with antiepileptic medications by issuing a public health advisory and an information alert to health care professionals. Health care professionals should notify patients, their families, and caregivers of the potential for an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors so that patients may be closely observed.

The FDA's actions are based on the agency's review of 199 clinical trials of 11 antiepileptic drugs which showed that patients receiving antiepileptic drugs had almost twice the risk of suicidal behavior or thoughts (0.43 percent) compared to patients receiving a placebo (0.24 percent). This difference was about one additional case of suicidal thoughts or behaviors for every 500 patients treated with antiepileptic drugs instead of placebo.

Four of the patients who were randomized to receive one of the antiepileptic drugs committed suicide, whereas none of the patients in the placebo group did. Results were insufficient for any conclusion to be drawn about the drugs' effects on completed suicides. The biological reasons for the increase in the risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior observed in patients being treated with antiepileptic drugs are unknown.

The FDA alerted health care professionals in January 2008 that clinical trials of drugs to treat epilepsy showed increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. In July 2008, the FDA held a public meeting to discuss the data with a committee of independent advisors. At that meeting the committee agreed with the FDA's findings that there is an increased risk of suicidality with the analyzed antiepileptic drugs, and that appropriate warnings should extend to the whole class of medications. The panel also considered whether the drugs should be labeled with a boxed warning, the FDA's strongest warning. The advisers recommended against a boxed warning and instead recommended that a warning of a different type be added to the labeling and that a Medication Guide be developed.

Acting under the authorities of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA), the FDA is requiring manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs to submit to the agency new labeling within 30 days, or provide a reason why they do not believe such labeling changes are necessary. In cases of non-compliance, FDAAA provides strict timelines for resolving the issue and allows the agency to initiate an enforcement action if necessary.

Neurontin Suicide Lawsuits, Gabapentin Attempted Suicide Lawsuits, and Neurontin Off-label Use Suicide Lawsuits

For more information on this topic, please go to the following web page on Neurontin Off-label Use Suicide and Attempted Suicide Lawsuits.

YAZ and Yasmin Birth Control Medication Lawsuits

Birth Control Medication Lawsuits (Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella Birth Control Drug Lawsuits)

YAZ, Ocella, and Yasmin are oral contraceptives that produced over $1 Billion in sales in the United States and $1.8 Billion worldwide in 2008. These birth control pills are oral contraceptives that have been heavily marketed by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., however, the FDA has found that past marketing campaigns were misleading as it minimized the potential health risks that have been associated with these oral contraceptives. These health risks include sudden death, cardiovascular problems, blood clots, heart attacks, stokes, and gallbladder disease.

Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella Birth Control Medications Contain Drospirenone (DRSP) that has been Associated with Serious Health Risks

YAZ and Yasmin are combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills that contain ethinylestradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP). These birth control medications are manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., while Ocella is the generic equivalent of Yasmin that is manufactured by Barr Laboratories. Each of these birth control medications contain ethinyl estradiol and the new "fourth generation" progestin drospirenone (DRSP). Drospirenone is known for increasing the risk for hyperkalemia and these DRSP oral contraceptives have been associated with adverse health effects such as Death, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Strokes, Heart Attacks, Gallbladder Disease, and other health problems.

YAZ Marketing Campaign Created Annual Revenues of over $600 Million, but Overstated Drug Benefits and Understated Drug Dangers

The FDA has found that Bayer's marketing campaign that was directed at young women for the birth control drug, YAZ, was misleading. The misleading marketing campaign allowed YAZ to become the best-selling oral contraception pill in the United States with annual sales revenue of over $600 million in 2008, but understated the birth control medications' health risks.

Through the efforts of the FDA and several states' Attorney Generals, the manufacturer and marketer of the oral contraceptive YAZ was required to run a $20 million advertising campaign for the purpose of correcting previous YAZ marketing statements and will be required to submit all future YAZ ads for the next six (6) years to the FDA for screening.

The YAZ ads allegedly overstated the pill's ability to improve women’s moods and clear up acne, while not fully warning of the drug's potential serious side effect health risks including Death, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Strokes, Heart Attacks, Gallbladder Disease, and other health problems.

Recent FDA and Attorney Generals Take Action to Correct the YAZ Marketing Campaign Making Sure Bayer Does Not Understate Drug Dangers and Risks

In October 2008, the FDA took action against Bayer sending a warning letter to Bayer saying that two television ads overstated the drug’s benefits while understating its risks. The FDA warning letter stated that two 60 second direct to consumer broadcast television advertisements entitled "Not Gonna Take it" and "Balloons" submitted by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. were "misleading because they broaden the drug's indication, overstate the efficacy of YAZ, and minimize serious risks associated with the use of the drug". Further, that these televisions advertisements "misbrand the drug in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act".

The FDA had approved YAZ as a birth control pill that has a side benefit in treating a very specific mood-related psychological problem called "premenstrual dysphoric disorder" and improving moderate acne, however, Bayer overstated the drug's efficacy and minimized its potential dangers.

FDA Action against Yasmin for Minimizing Health Risks in 2003 Suggests Bayer May Have Had Prior Knowledge of Misleading Marketing that Minimized YAZ Health Risks

The contraceptive medication, YAZ, closely resembles another birth control medication, Yasmin. Both drugs contain contain ethinyl estradiol and the "fourth generation" progestin drospirenone (DRSP). Yasmin has been the subject of a similar FDA warning letter in 2003 that warned the manufacturer and marketer that their marketing advertisements were understating potential health risks and overstating the benefits of the birth control medication. At that time Yasmin was manufactured and marketed by Berlex Laboratories.

In 2006, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquired Berlex Laboratories. Bayer now markets both oral contraceptives, YAZ and Yasmin which had sales of about $1.8 Billion in 2008.

Health Risks Related to the Oral Birth Control Mediations
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella

YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella contain drospirenone (DRSP), a synthetic progestational compound that can cause serious side effects and has been associated with serious health problems including formation of dangerous blood clots, strokes, pulmonary embolisms (PE), gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attacks, and sudden death. Yaz and Yasmin are combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills that contain ethinylestradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP). Both have been linked to blood clots and cardiovascular events as well as other serious health risks.

While it has long been known that taking a combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill with a combination of estrogen and a progestin hormone can increase the risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs and lungs, the health risks of newer synthetic should have been deceptively marketed as having less health risks with other benefits that the contraceptives do not have.

In October 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), concerned with the improper advertising of the YAZ/Yasmin/Ocella birth control drugs, issued a warning letter to the Bayer Corporation to cease unlawful promotion. Also, women who have taken these popular oral contraceptives reported serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, gallbladder complications and heart attack as a result of taking the drugs.

It is thought that these birth control medications contain hormones the effect cholesterol metabolism and excretion into the gallbladder thereby affecting the cholesterol concentration and crystallization of bile acids in the secretions leading to gall stones as well as can lead to clots, strokes, or heart attacks.

For more information on YAZ/Yasmin/Ocella birth control drug Lawsuits, please go to the following YAZ Yasmin Ocella Lawsuit Website.

Medicaid and Medicare Upcoding & Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits

Medicaid and Medicare Upcoding and Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits (Upcoding Qui Tam Claims, Mischarging for Services Claims, Double Billing Qui Tam Claims, Illegal Kickback Qui Tam Claims, & Other Medical Service Provider Fraud Claims)

Healthcare fraud costs taxpayers an estimated $100 billion each year. Illegal Kickbacks, Upcoding, Double Billing, False Coding, and fraudulent mischarging of health care services are just a few ways that fraudulent medical providers are able to defraud Medicare, Tricare, the Veterans' Administration (VA), and other government services out of billions of dollars. Heroes including health care administrators, doctors, nurses, and therapists are stepping forward and blowing the whistle on Tricare, the Veterans' Administration (VA), and Medicare billing fraud including manipulation of outlier payments to Medicare, kickbacks, upcoding, or bill padding. If you are a healthcare professional that is aware of fraud, please become a Tricare, Veterans' Administration (VA), Medicaid, or Medicare Whistleblower.

Health Care Fraud Upcoding Whistleblower Law Suits (Medicare, VA, and Tricare Upcoding Qui Tam Whistleblower Claims)

Upcoding occurs when a medical service provider intentionally and fraudulently upcodes services to obtain a higher reimbursement than one that is entitled to for the service that was actually provided. In both the Medicare and Medicaid systems a set of billing codes is used by healthcare providers to bill for services. These codes are known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). A service provider that intentionally uses a higher paying code to fraudulently reflect that a more expensive procedure or device was involved in the patient’s treatment than actually was used or was necessary. A pattern of intentional upcoding treatment can result in large profits for the healthcare provider, but also cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Upcoding fraud is typically hard to catch without the help of persons with inside information because that Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes are billed electronically and can easily slip through the system. Therefore unless the upcoding is caught through a random audit (approximately 2% of the claims per year are audited), it is up to insiders, informants, heroes, and health care professionals to catch fraudulent upcoding.

Another type of coding fraud is “unbundling”, where bundled related procedures or composite lab tests are run together, but billed separately by the lab or healthcare provider to obtain more compensation. These types of billing fraud also allow healthcare providers and labs to make higher profits by bilking Medicare, Medicaid, and taxpayers out of millions of dollars. These unbundling fraud schemes are also hard to detect without someone that is familiar with the codes and billing.

Qui Tam Whistleblower Plaintiffs have received over $1 Billion in Awards of the over $12 Billion in Recoveries for Exposing Fraud Against the United States Government (Qui Tam Plaintiff Whistleblower Claims)

Medicaid, Tricare, Veterans Administration, Hospice, and Medicare Whistleblowers that provide original source information of schemes to fraudulently take money from our United States government including upcoding, double billing, bill padding, unbundling, and charging for services never provided may recover a portion of the proceeds recovered on the government's behalf. Since 1986, relators have recovered over $1 billion for helping expose fraud against the United States government.

Below is an excerpt from the False Claims Act explaining what types of awards qui tam whistleblowers may recover for being the "original source" of information that is used to successfully expose fraud against Medicaid, Tricare, Veterans Administration, Hospice, Medicare, or another subdivision of the United States Government and recover money from the parties committing the fraud.

(d) AWARD TO QUI TAM PLAINTIFF

(1) If the Government proceeds with an action brought by a person under subsection (b), such person shall, subject to the second sentence of this paragraph, receive at least 15 percent but not more than 25 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action. Where the action is one which the court finds to be based primarily on disclosures of specific information (other than information provided by the person bringing the action) relating to allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a congressional, administrative, or Government [General] Accounting Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, the court may award such sums as it considers appropriate, but in no case more than 10 percent of the proceeds, taking into account the significance of the information and the role of the person bringing the action in advancing the case to litigation. Any payment to a person under the first or second sentence of this paragraph shall be made from the proceeds. Any such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.

(2) If the Government does not proceed with an action under this section, the person bringing the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount which the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than 25 percent and not more than 30 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement and shall be paid out of such proceeds. Such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.

Since amendments were made to the Federal False Claims Act in 1986, citizens that have filed suits on behalf of the federal government against government contractors that have participated in defrauding the government have regained over $12 Billion for taxpayers as well as have collected over $1 Billion in qui tam whistleblower awards.

Government Contractor Fraud Qui Tam Whistleblower Lawsuit Information (False Claims Act Whistleblower Qui Tam Action Information)

For more information on Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Medicaid Fraud, Defense Contractor Fraud, Off Label Fraud, Road Construction Fraud, and other types of False Claims Act Whistleblower Claims, please go to the Qui Tam, Whistleblower, and Federal Federal False Claims Act Information Center or the following webpage on Medicaid and Medicare Upcoding & Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits (Upcoding Qui Tam Claims, Mischarging for Services Claims, Double Billing Qui Tam Claims, Illegal Kickback Qui Tam Claims, & Other Medical Service Provider Fraud Claims) .

Texas Birth Injury, Small Child Injury, and Birth Defect Lawsuits

Texas Birth Injury Lawsuits, Texas Primary Pulmonary Hypertension PPH Lawsuits, Texas Infant Traumatic Injury Lawsuits, and Texas Small Child Traumatic Injury Lawsuits (Birth Injury and Birth Defect Lawsuits)

Avoidable birth injuries, birth defects, fatal accidents, and traumatic injuries are some of the most devastating problems that can occur to a parent, family, and/or a small child. Parents and family who should be celebrating the life of their new child, are often caught off guard when their child is taken from them, born with severe disabilities, or suffers significant injuries in an avoidable accident. After a death, accident, or discovery of a birth defect, the family is often busy taking care of the child with the serious health problems or grieving their loss, and often does not have the time or energy to seek compensation from or battle the party or parties that caused the death, birth defect or accident.

Texas Birth Injury Hypoxia Brain Damage Lawsuits
(Causes of Hypoxia During Birth)

Several types of accidents and negligent actions can cause an unborn child to suffer hypoxia resulting in a brain injury during the birthing process including a difficult labor, unreasonable delay in performing a C-section, delay in delivering an extremely large baby, gestational diabetes in the mother, failure to properly and timely resuscitate the baby, maternal or fetal bleeding complications, excessive administration of Pitocin, and placenta previa. It is important during any birth to have medical professionals that are able to protect the safety of the mother and child by not allowing any of these factors to become a problem. If problems arise and these difficulties occur during the birth of your child and the child sustains a brain injury, you may want to contact a Texas Birth Injury Lawyer with the skill and dedication to help you get the compensation.

Texas Medication Birth Defect Lawsuits

Several medications, products, and drugs have been linked to birth defects. Some of these medication and products have ample warnings that warn pregnant women to avoid taking these products while they are pregnant, however, some manufacturers have hidden the real dangers of their product in order to sell more of their product and value profits over healthy babies. For these manufacturers, they may have short term profits, but over the long term they will suffer for the long term birth defects that they have caused.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Birth Defect Claims and PPH and PPHN Lawsuits

Some medications that have been linked to birth defects include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants (SSRIs). Women that have taken SSRIs after the 20th week of pregnancy have a 6-fold increased risk of their child developing persistent pulmonary hypertension, a life-threatening lung disorder. Infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension have abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs and do not get enough oxygen to their bodies and may become very sick or die. The SSRIs antidepressants that have been linked to persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) include Paxil by GlaxoSmithKline, Zoloft marketed by Pfizer; Prozac sold by Eli Lilly; Celexa and Lexapro by Forest Laboratories, Effexor marketed by Wyeth, Luvox by Solvay, and the generic makers of these drugs include Barr Pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy Labs and Genpharm.

Infants born with PPHN often require mechanical assistance to breath and even worse about 10% to 20% of the infants do not survive even when they receive treatment. The PPHN babies that do survive often experience developmental delays, brain abnormalities and hearing loss, experts say.

Lamictal Birth Defect Claims

Lamictal is a drug used to treat bipolar episodes and the most serious forms of epileptic seizures. Unfortunately, there is now an association between pregnant women taking Lamictal in there first three months of pregnancy and their children being born with a cleft palate or lip.

Cerebral Palsy Medical Negligence Lawsuits, Texas Medical Negligence Lawsuits, and Federal Tort Claims Act Negligence Lawsuits

"Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness/poor control. Cerebral palsy itself is not progressive, but is a developmental problem that can occur during fetal development, the birthing process, or infancy. Once a child has cerebral palsy, the child will not get worse over time, however, conditions such as muscle spasticity can develop which may get better or worse over time. Although cerebral palsy is not "curable", training and therapy treatments can help improve function.

The term "cerebral palsy" refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination. Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. It is caused by abnormalities or damage in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. The most common symptoms are a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia); stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity); walking with one foot or leg dragging; walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. A small number of children have cerebral palsy as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse.

Cerebral Palsy usually occurs during fetal development, but can occur before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. The faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture. Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy can range in severity. Medical mistakes during the labor and delivery process are to blame for thousands of children with Cerebral Palsy. Unfortunately, many parents don't realize that their healthcare provider might be to blame for their child's Cerebral Palsy.

Causes of Serious Brain Injuries and Brain Damage (Traumatic Brain Damage Lawsuits)

Serious brain injuries can occur through traumatic impact to the head caused by an automobile accident, serious fall, falling object, construction accident, accidental gun shot, boating accident, or a vicious attack. Severe trauma to the head can cause the brain to move inside the skull and injure the brain. The skull typically protects the brain from injury, but because the inside of the skull is rough a traumatic event that causes the brain to move or to swell inside the skull can cause the brain to press up against the skull and cause serious brain damage.

Texas Infant Brain Injury, Child Head Injury, and Hypoxia (Medication Interaction, Carbon Monoxide, and Drowning Victim) Lawyer

Brain injuries including Hypoxia can be caused by several factors including a traumatic injury, lack of oxygen, drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, or drug interactions. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious brain injury or brain damage, the most important thing you can do is to find a good medical doctor to assess the injury so you know what you are dealing with and how to best treat the injury.

Federal Tort Medical Malpractice Claims Act, Product Liability, Traumatic Injury, and Texas Medical Negligence Birth Defect Lawsuits

Federal Tort Claims Act Medical Negligence Lawsuits, SSRI Antidepressant PPH Product Liability Lawsuits, Texas Traumatic Injury to an Infant, and Texas Medical Malpractice Birth Defect Lawsuits are some of the most complicated types of cases in the practice of law. For more information on these types of cases, please go to the following webpage on Texas Birth Injury, Texas Small Child Injury Lawsuits, and Texas Birth Defect Lawsuits.

Texas Business Tort Lawsuits, Breach of Contract Lawsuits, & Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuits

Businesses are the driving force of the United States and Texas economies, and employ millions of Americans and Texans. These businesses face many legal and illegal challenges including fierce competition from other businesses that sometimes use unfair business practices as well as dishonest officers, partners, owners, and employees that breach fiduciary duties. From business torts such as fraud, theft of trade secrets, & misrepresentation lawsuits to breach of contract lawsuits, it is important to have a good Texas business litigation lawyer representing your business and protecting your business assets.

Texas Theft of Trade Secrets Lawsuits and Texas Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuits

Officers and employees that wrongfully steal intellectual property including theft of trade secrets, customer lists, patents, and copyrights can be held liable by Texas courts for breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, fraud, and other business torts. As the intellectual property owned by a business becomes more valuable and easier to steal through technology, it is increasingly important for businesses to protect their intellectual property as well as to make an example of officers, business partners, independent contractors, and employees that steal intellectual property.

In moving forward on a Texas Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuit against a former corporate officer or a Texas Theft of Trade Secrets Lawsuit against a former employee and their new company, it is important to have an experienced Texas business litigation lawyer or Texas business tort litigation team that is able to review and prosecute your Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuit, Texas Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuit or other Texas Business Tort Lawsuit.

Texas Negligent Misrepresentation Lawsuits and Texas Fraudulent Misrepresentation Lawsuits

Texas has business tort laws against both fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation that can be brought against businesses and individuals that make false statements that cause significant damages. Under Texas negligent misrepresentation law, a business or individual "who, in the course of his business, profession or employment, or in any transaction in which he has a pecuniary interest, supplies false information for the guidance of others in their business transactions, may be subject to liability for pecuniary loss caused to them by their justifiable reliance upon the information, if he fails to exercise reasonable care or competence in obtaining or communicating the information." described by the Restatement (Second) of Torts Sec. 522. See Federal Land Bank Ass’n of Tyler v. Sloane, 825 S.W.2d 439, 442 (Tex. 1991).

In moving forward on a Texas Fraudulent or Negligent Misrepresentation Lawsuit against a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, professional corporation, individual, or other business, it is important to gather evidence of the misrepresentation and to have an experienced Texas business misrepresentation lawyer or business tort litigation team that is able to review and prosecute your Texas Fraudulent or Negligent Misrepresentation Lawsuit.

Texas Intentional Interference with a Business Contract Lawsuits and
Texas Unfair Business Competition Lawsuits

Unfair business competition actions arise when a business uses unfair business practices to damage another business or put them out of business. Examples of unfair business competition occur when a competing business intentionally steals trade secrets, releases false press releases, uses short term predatory pricing, demands exclusive contracts from suppliers, forces lenders to call in loans, steals business, or spreads false information in the business community to damage another business or put the business out of business. Because of the size of many small business, losing a major contract, having a supplier stop providing supplies, having a lender call in a loans, or one false press release can cause significant damage and even bankruptcy for the small business.

Texas Business Tort Lawsuits, Texas Business Tort Arbitrations, Texas Breach of Contract Lawsuits, Texas Decepetive Trade Practice Act Lawsuits, and Texas Unfair Business Competition Lawsuits

Texas Business Tort Lawsuits and Texas Business Tort Arbitrations are forms of commercial litigation that require specialized knowledge of not only the law, but an understanding of the businesses and parties involved in the commercial litigation. For more information on Texas Theft of Trade Secret Lawsuits, Texas Misrepresentation Lawsuits, Texas Unfair Competition Lawsuits, and other Texas Business Tort or Breach of Contract Lawsuits click on this link.

Texas Truck Accident Investigation Lawyer

Truck Collision Investigation and Commercial Vehicle Accident Investigation Information (Fatal Crash and Catastrophic Injury Accident Investigations)

After a fatal truck accident or serious injury commercial vehicle collision, an efficient and effective investigation can create advantages in the preservation of key evidence and information that can win a large verdict in a law suit or result in an early and large settlement of an insurance claim. For this reason, it is important to have professionals working for you that understand how to investigate a serious accident and preserve key evidence that can prove liability or damages.

Investigation at the Scene of the Accident

Immediately after an accident, the trucking company and their insurance company are typically in route to the accident scene to collect evidence that will help them avoid paying or limit the amount that they pay for any deaths or injuries that were caused by the accident. These individuals will be taking photos and video of key evidence that will help absolve their client of liability as well as attempting to take recorded statements of key witnesses in an attempt to lock in crucial testimony from witnesses.

Even though law enforcement professionals also investigate serious wrecks, their primary purposes at the accident scene is to get people to safety, protect people from other traffic, and to clear the accident scene for traffic to resume to move and flow. Sometimes these law enforcement professionals do an excellent job of accident investigation and can easily determine the cause of the collision or accident. At other times, they do incomplete interviews; accept the story of one or more biased witnesses; are influenced by the trucking company or insurance company's representatives; or are too busy getting the survivors of the collision to safety, clearing the debris & vehicles, dealing with tow truck drivers, and directing traffic to properly investigate the scene of an accident.

If possible, it is typically useful to have your own experienced accident investigator at the scene of the accident to observe the accident scene; take photographs and video of the debris, vehicles, & skid marks; and make a list of all potential witnesses with contact information. Whether this person is a family member, friend, truck accident lawyer, off duty police officer, or other competent person that you can trust, it is often important to have someone that can properly investigate the accident scene as close to the time of the accident as possible. For the experienced accident investigator, it is useful to have working cameras, measuring tape, a reflective vest, business cards, tape recorder, and a note book or device to take names, addresses and other information.

The experienced accident investigator will carefully search for not only obvious skid marks, drop offs, crush damage, and contact points, but also for inconspicuous clues such as damage to all vehicles, damage to guard rails, scuffs, scratches, and dried liquids. Carefully documenting and measuring this crucial evidence can be extremely important in proving liability in a fatal collision or catastrophic injury accident case.

Preserving Accident Wreckage and Electronic "Black Box" Data Recorders (Spoliation of Evidence)

After a fatal automobile accident or catastrophic injury truck wreck, a preservation letter is often needed to make sure that trucking companies and insurance companies do not destroy or get rid of crucial evidence that can prove fault in a truck accident or commercial vehicle collision. This letter/notice should have language regarding spoliation of evidence and instruct the potentially at fault parties to preserve all relevant information concerning the accident.

The trucking companies and truck drivers often try to get their vehicle away from the accident scene as soon as possible and try to repair any damage to the vehicle before a proper investigation can take place. This is because they can often hide evidence of maintenance problems, vehicle defects, and driver error by working on the vehicle after a fatal collision or catastrophic injury accident.

It is also important to be able to examine the passenger vehicle wreckage and all other vehicles that were involved in the accident. Each vehicle can contain key evidence in determining how a fatal wreck or catastrophic injury collision occurred.

The electronic "black box" data recorder is typically a crucial piece of evidence in any commercial vehicle accident. This is because most modern commercial vehicles with a heavy-duty diesel engine are equipped with an Electronic Control Module (ECM)/Engine Control Unit (ECU) that controls and monitors most of an engine's operations. This "diesel engine electronic brain" may contain important accident information such as engine RPMs just prior to the accident, vehicle speed at the time of and just prior to the collision, brake application prior to impact, throttle position, and clutch application. This information can be crucial in determining how the accident occurred and if driver error or maintenance problems were a proximate cause of the collision.

These recorders are not always turned on by trucking companies and truck drivers as many do not want evidence of their driving habits or safety violations prior to a potential accident. The data recorders also can be easily overwritten and crucial information can be lost. It is usually best to obtain the electronic "black box" recorder at the scene of the accident because the mere act of driving the truck to another location can erase the information stored in the recorder. Though it is not always possible to obtain the data recorder at the scene of the accident, it is important to request it and have a record of the request as soon as possible after the accident.

In addition to the black box information in large commercial trucks, most passenger vehicles have a black box data recorder that is typically referred to as the electronic data recorder (EDR). By the year 2012, all vehicles will be required to have an electronic data recorder.

In passenger vehicles the electronic data recorder is typically the airbag control module that is designed to analyze the collision, determine if airbag deployment is needed, and then to deploy the airbags. If the electronic data recorder has additional energy it will record additional information regarding the collision. To retrieve information stored in an electronic data recorder, accident reconstructionists use Crash Data Retrieval (CDR).

Obtaining and Preserving Documents (Spoliation of Evidence)

Like preserving wreckage and data recorders, it is important to make sure that crucial documents are preserved and obtained from all vehicle owners and drivers involved in the collision. Documents including key maintenance records, driver logs, communications with drivers, delivery schedules, driving records, police reports, witness statements, photographs, driver safety training materials, truck owner's and operator's manual, accident investigations, and medical records can all provide crucial information regarding the cause of a truck collision.

Therefore, after a fatal accident or catastrophic injury accident, a preservation letter is often needed to preserve crucial documents that can prove fault in a truck accident or commercial vehicle collision. A letter/notice should have language regarding spoliation of evidence and instruct the potentially at fault parties to preserve all relevant documents and information concerning the accident.

Truck Accident Investigation Lawyer, Catastrophic Injury Accident Investigations, and Fatal Collision Accident Investigations

If you have suffered catastrophic injuries or have had a loved one killed in a truck wreck or other commercial vehicle accident, it is important to make sure that a thorough investigation of the fatal truck accident or catastrophic injury collision is done. It is also typically a good idea to obtain excellent legal representation from an experienced Truck Wreck Investigation Lawyer to protect you or your loved one's rights and to make sure that an investigation as to the cause of the collision is done correctly.

For more information on Interstate Truck Accidents, Fatal Commercial Vehicle Collisions, and other Commercial Vehicle Wrecks, feel free to go to the following web site, Truck Collision and 18 Wheeler Accident Information and Investigation Center.

Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Hospice Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud Qui Tam Whistleblower Actions

Health Care Fraud Whistleblower Actions (Medicare Fraud Qui Tam Claims, Tricare Fraud Qui Tam Claims, Medicaid Fraud Qui Tam Claims, and other Fraud Law Suits)

Hospital administrators, nursing home administrators, doctors, coders, benefit coordinators, nurses, chief financial officers, and other health care professionals have been stepping up and blowing the whistle on health care fraud that costs taxpayers about $100 billion each year including Medicare fraud, Tricare fraud, Hospice fraud, and other types of fraud. These health care fraud whistleblowers are American Heroes that have knowledge of false and illegal billing practices, and have had the strength & integrity to file Qui Tam Whistleblower Actions. The result of these health care professionals has been recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars that have been stolen from Medicare, Tricare, and Medicaid as well as improvements in preventing future health care fraud which helps all Americans.

Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Nursing Home Fraud, Hospice Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud in the News (Whistleblowers and Government Agents Strike Back Against Health Care Fraud)

The Department of Justice has been cracking down on Fraud and False Claims including Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Nursing Home Fraud, Hospice Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud. Below is an update on recent Department of Justice recoveries.

Pfizer to pay record $2.3B penalty over promotions Repeat offender Pfizer paying record $2.3B settlement for illegal drug promotions By Devlin Barrett, Associated Press Writer On Wednesday September 2, 2009, 3:47 pm EDT

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal prosecutors hit Pfizer Inc. with a record-breaking $2.3 billion in fines Wednesday and called the world's largest drug maker a repeating corporate cheat for illegal drug promotions that plied doctors with free golf, massages, and resort junkets."

Announcing the penalty as a warning to all drug manufacturers, Justice Department officials said the overall settlement is the largest ever paid by a drug company for alleged violations of federal drug rules, and the $1.2 billion criminal fine is the largest ever in any U.S. criminal case. The total includes $1 billion in civil penalties and a $100 million criminal forfeiture.

More Than $1 Billion Recovered by Justice Department in Fraud and False Claims in Fiscal Year 2008

WASHINGTON – The United States secured $1.34 billion in settlements and judgments in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2008, pursuing allegations of fraud against the federal government, the Justice Department announced today. This brings total recoveries since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, to more than $21 billion.

"Now, more than ever, it is crucial that taxpayer dollars aren't lost to fraud," said Gregory G. Katsas, Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Civil Division. "The billion dollars collected this year is only part of the story. By rooting out fraud and vigorously pursuing it, the Department, with the help of concerned citizens who report fraud in hotline calls and in qui tam complaints, undoubtedly saves the country many times that amount in aborted schemes and misconduct."

$361.5 million from Merck & Company to resolve allegations that the pharmaceutical manufacturer knowingly failed to pay proper rebates to Medicaid and other government health care programs, and paid kickbacks to health care providers to induce them to prescribe the company’s products. The settlement resulted from two lawsuits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.

Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Nursing Home Fraud, Hospice Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud in the News (Whistle Blowers and Government Agents Strike Back Against Health Care Fraud)

Health care fraud Whistleblowers, federal agents, and other American heroes have been striking back against Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, Nursing Home Fraud, Hospice Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud. Below are some recent stories in the news regarding health care fraud and qui tam claims.

Dozens Arrested In Medicare Fraud Busts Across US digg Share this on Facebook Huffpost - Dozens Arrested In Medicare Fraud Busts Across US

KELLI KENNEDY | 07/29/09 10:31 PM | AP

"MIAMI — Federal authorities arrested more than 30 suspects, including doctors, and were seeking others in a major Medicare fraud bust Wednesday in New York, Louisiana, Boston and Houston, targeting scams such as "arthritis kits" – expensive braces that many patients never used.

More than 200 agents worked on the $16 million bust that included 12 search warrants at health care businesses and homes across the Houston area, where the bulk of the arrests were made.

Federal authorities say those businesses were giving patients "arthritis kits," which were nothing more than expensive orthotics that included knee and shoulder braces and heating pads. Patients told authorities they were unnecessary and many never even received them. But health care clinic owners billed between $3,000 to $4,000 for each kit.

Houston's other scam involved billing Medicare for thousands of dollars worth of liquid food like Ensure for patients who can't eat solid food. Authorities said clinic owners never distributed the food to patients. In some cases, clinic owners billed patients who were dead when they allegedly received the items.

It's the third major sweep since Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced in May they were adding millions of dollars and dozens of agents to combat a problem that costs the U.S. billions each year.

HOSPICE FRAUD NETS MULTIMILLION DOLLAR RECOVERY

"SouthernCare Inc. and its shareholders have agreed to pay the United States a total of $24.7 million to settle allegations that the Birmingham, Ala.-based company submitted false claims to the government for patients treated at its hospice facilities, the Justice Department announced today. SouthernCare operates approximately 99 locations that provide hospice services in 15 states."

“The Medicare hospice benefit is intended to provide compassionate end of life care to terminally ill patients,” said Gregory G. Katsas, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division. “This settlement sends a clear message that the Department of Justice will not allow health care providers to take advantage of beneficiaries in their attempts to game the reimbursement system.”

This settlement results from two qui tam suits filed by two former SouthernCare employees on behalf of the United States. The False Claims Act authorizes private parties to file suit against those who defraud the United States and to receive a share of any recovery. The United States will pay $4.9 million to the individuals who filed the actions against SouthernCare.

HEALTH CARE FRAUD CASE NETS RECOVERY OF $1.7 BILLION

HCA Inc. (formerly known as Columbia/HCA and HCA - The Healthcare Company) and HCA subsidiaries agreed to pay the United States over $1.7 Billion including $631 million in 2003 for civil penalties and damages arising from false claims the government alleged it submitted to Medicare and other federal health programs. In 2000, HCA subsidiaries pled guilty to substantial criminal conduct and paid more than $840 million in criminal fines, civil restitution and penalties. HCA will paid an additional $250 million to resolve overpayment claims arising from certain of its cost reporting practices. In total, the government will have recovered $1.7 billion from HCA.

Blowing the Whistle on Those that Commit Fraud Against the United States Government, First to File Provisions of the Federal False Claims Act, and Preserving Relator Rights to Share in Recovery of Funds (Qui Tam Medicare Fraud, Hospice Fraud, Nursing Home Fraud, Tricare Fraud, and other Health Care Fraud Claims)

If you are a Health Care Administrator, Hospital Administrator, Nursing Home Administrator, Doctor, Coder, Benefit Coordinator, Nurse, Chief Financial Officer, or other health care professional that has knowledge and evidence of a Health Care Provider, Hospice Provider, Nursing Home, Hospital, Medical Supply Company, or other health care contractor or subcontractor that is defrauding Tricare, Medicare, or the United States Government out of millions or billions of dollars, it is important to gather evidence of the fraud and blow the whistle on the fraud.

In blowing the whistle on health care fraud, Medicare fraud, Tricare fraud, VA fraud, or other fraud against the government, it is typically best to contact a Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, and Hospice Fraud Qui Tam Whistleblower Claim Lawyer like Jason S. Coomer and the firms that he works with to help investigate the fraud and pull together a disclosure and complaint to file.

For information on this Qui Tam Whistleblower Medicare Fraud, Tricare Fraud, and Hospice Fraud Claims, go to FederalGovernmentContractorFraud.com