“Film” Stars Privacy Breached

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

Recently, we read of the release of approximately 15,000 individual’s (read more Fox News) private health information. These individuals happened to be involved in the “adult entertainment” industry.

Always one for public health, the adult film industry utilizes the “Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation” listing of performers current test results. The idea is that a film producer could

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One Murder; Two Medical Malpractice Claims

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

Jeremy Pompeneo, a recovering methamphetamine addict, sporadically went to the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic in 2005 and 2006 for counseling and prescriptions for psychiatric medication. Additionally, he went to another facility for inpatient psychiatric care because of “psychotic episodes induced by amphetamines,” that had been prescribed by the Clinic’s staff.

After seeing his therapist on October 17, 2006, Jeremy Pompeneo (“Pompeneo”) went home, stabbed his girlfriend to death and then attempted suicide by taking an overdose of medication.

Pompeneo was indicted for first-degree murder.

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Isn’t the Pot Calling the Kettle Black?

I must confess. I’m flattered. First I learn that a professor of Internet law at an Ivy League School referenced the Medical Justice agreements as a final exam question. I am a regular reader – and fan – of Eric Goldman’s cyber-law blog. Earlier this week, lo and behold, Professor Goldman featured Medical Justice on a site he’s created about us.

If you believe every argument Professor Goldman makes, you’d believe that all doctor review sites are wonderful, accurate and completely truthful. He won’t yield an inch in acknowledging that there might be a small problem with at least 1 of the more than 60 sites dotting the cyber-landscape. C’mon. Toss us a bone.

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It’s All Just a Game, Isn’t It?

We search the web every day for interesting, relevant or unusual stories that would be of interest to physicians or could have an impact on their practices. This headline caught our eye;

Guess the Verdict to Support Your Favorite Charity

A New York personal injury law firm is running a contest – they give you the description of an actual personal injury or malpractice case and you guess the settlement. The closest guess to the actual settlement wins an iPad2.

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Trash-Talking a Competitor Can Land You in Hot Water

Jeff Segal, MD, JD, FACS It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water. ~ Franklin P. Jones It’s almost irresistible. A prospective patient comes to your office. The prospect says her friend just had surgery performed by your competitor. The prospect asks you about the … Read more

Defensive Medicine and Disposable Helmets

Jeff Segal, MD, JD, FACS

A lot has been said and written about defensive medicine. Some pundits have stated, “If I’m a patient, I want you to practice defensive medicine.”

This is where the misunderstanding begins. There is universal agreement that doctors should do what is reasonable to keep patients safe. Period. Doctors agree. As do patients and attorneys.

But, defensive medicine is different. Defensive medicine has a different purpose. It includes tests, referrals, and procedures focused primarily on keeping doctors out of the courtroom.

Some will argue “Wait a minute. Shouldn’t a doctor do everything possible to prevent a problem?” Here’s where an analogy helps.

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Tax-Saving Ideas You Can Do Now

Don’t Let Another April 15th Be Rainy for You: 4 Tax-Saving Ideas You Can Do Now

David B. Mandell, JD, MBA; Jason M. O’Dell, CWM; Carole Foos, CPA

As a physician, do you realize that – between income, capital gains, Medicare, self-employment and other taxes, you spend 40 to 50% of your working hours laboring for the IRS and your state? That is a lot of time with patients for someone else’s benefit. Given the significance of this fact, shouldn’t your advisors be giving you creative ways to legally reduce your tax liabilities? How many tax-reducing ideas does your CPA regularly provide you? If you are like most physicians, you probably get very few tax planning ideas from your advisors.

Given these sobering facts, the purpose of this article is to show you five ways to potentially save and possibly motivate you to investigate these planning concepts now, before the end of the year. Let’s examine them now:

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Missouri Supreme Court Reinstates Wrongful Death Case

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

Several weeks ago, the Supreme Court of Missouri reinstated the wrongful death claim against a spine surgeon. The case involves a patient that committed suicide allegedly because of the pain cause by spinal surgery. The patient first underwent surgery in January 2005, to correct the curvature of his spine. Unhappy with the results of the procedure, the patient and his wife filed a medical malpractice action in July of 2005. In March of 2006, the patient committed suicide, leaving his wife and daughter to amend the medical malpractice action into a wrongful death action.

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