When the term “blow the whistle” started catching on, it found roots in sports referees blowing their whistles due to fouls and other infractions. Over time, “blow the whistle” transformed into something much bigger than sports; it started to mean “calling attention to something, such as criminal activity, kept secret.” A whistleblower then, quite fittingly, is someone who will “blow … Read More
False Claims Act’s Role in Combatting Opioid Epidemic
Civil enforcement under the False Claims Act continues to be critical in the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat the country’s opioid epidemic. We certainly see those efforts affecting the pharmaceutical industry as well. (LINK to DOJ Press Release on $5.6 Billion in 2021 False Claims Settlements). Many of these lawsuits are only made possible due to private individuals acting … Read More
Covid Relief Fraud Contributing to Spike in False Claims Act Cases
The Department of Justice announced February 1st that the 2021 fiscal year resulted in more than $5.6 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments, the second most in the Act’s history. (LINK to DOJ Press Release on $5.6 Billion in 2021 False Claims Settlements). The growing number of False Claims suits is due in large part to a new … Read More
DOJ’s False Claims Suit Against Texas Doctor Ongoing
In March 2021, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed a civil suit against Dr. Clay Cockerell alleging that he knowingly permitted a laboratory management company to submit false claims to federal health insurance programs for unnecessary tests. (LINK to DOJ Press Release on Doctor Accused of False Claims Violations). The DOJ alleges that in return for Dr. Cockerell’s agreement with … Read More
FREE TRAINING AT SAFETYFEST TN 2019
Want to learn more about safety? Attend SafetyFest Tennessee 2019 a free health and safety training held April 29 – May 3, 2019 in Oak Ridge and Knoxville, Tennessee. SafetyFest is a combined effort of federal, state, and local agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote safety and health at work, home, and in the community. The primary goal of SafetyFest is … Read More
Construction Defects and the Importance of Preserving the “Scene”
In construction defect claims, failure to preserve the “scene” can be fatal to either a valid claim or a strong defense. Indeed, when a defect or failure is discovered, it is important to do two things, as soon as possible: (1) secure the “scene” and related items and documents; and (2) notify any individuals or entities that may be involved … Read More
Robots in the Construction Industry: Robots and automation arrive on construction sites
While most of modern commerce and our daily lives have seen a dramatic increase in the use of automation and/or robots, construction sites have been one area where robots were slow to arrive. However, that does not appear to be the case any longer. A recent article published by the Associated Press highlighted the trend toward robotics and automation at … Read More
Workers Compensation and Construction Sites
Workers’ Compensation and Construction Sites: Bureau intends to conduct field inspections of construction sites Contractors, subcontractors and providers of “construction services” in Tennessee face heightened scrutiny for compliance with Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws, and potential penalties for failure to maintain adequate proof of workers’ compensation insurance at job sites. Under new legislation passed by the Tennessee legislature in the 2017 … Read More
LT Memphis Leads the Field at Annual MBA YLD Golf Tournament
The Memphis Bar Association Young Lawyer Division held its annual golf tournament last Friday, and it was an LT Memphis event. LT Memphis had ten attorneys participate, and sponsored one of the holes at the event. FORE!
Chris McCarty interviewed and quoted by WBIR for the segment on free speech
NFL ANTHEM PROTESTS SPARK FREE SPEECH DEBATE The movement first started with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to protest police brutality. Now the movement is growing as players protest President Trump’s call to fire anyone who doesn’t stand during the national anthem. As nearly 200 NFL players kneeled or locked arms on the field this … Read More