Unnecessary Spine Surgeries Pay Kickbacks to Surgeon

Represented two surgeons in a False Claims Act case alleging that a fellow surgeon received kickbacks by performing medically unnecessary spinal surgeries on elderly patients. After the government intervened in 2019, the large hospital system settled its portion of the case for over $20 million and entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the federal government, requiring continuing federal compliance monitoring. After more litigation, the surgeon also settled, including a monetary fine and a disbarment from Medicare.