On November 30, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf vetoed HB 1737 which would have afforded healthcare providers across the Commonwealth immunity from civil suits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his veto statement,...more
On November 20, 2020, Pennsylvania legislators passed H.B. 1737, which affords healthcare providers and other businesses immunity from civil suits related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation follows Pennsylvania...more
When will the trial court in Philadelphia County be open for jury trials in civil actions? While a precise prediction, given the current state of our trial courts in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, is difficult to make,...more
In a time when most employees are questioning when or if they will be able to return to work, healthcare practitioners find themselves increasingly in demand. To assist with the need for an increased healthcare workforce, and...more
Pennsylvania healthcare trade organizations, on behalf of healthcare workers across the Commonwealth, are actively pursuing immunity from civil lawsuits related to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The Pennsylvania Health...more
Medical data companies are reportedly volunteering to join the fight against COVID-19 by offering to broadly share confidential, HIPAA-protected patient medical information they possess, including patient demographics,...more
Medical data companies are reportedly volunteering to join the fight against COVID-19 by offering to broadly share confidential, HIPAA-protected patient medical information they possess, including patient demographics,...more
4/14/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Data Collection ,
Data Privacy ,
Databases ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Emergency Response ,
Health Information Technologies ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Public Health ,
Public Health Emergency
Like with most things today, many of us turn to our phones, tablets and computers for information regarding our medical problems and where to seek treatment. While many providers have historically feared the five-star...more
In late December 2018, the Civil Procedural Rules Committee of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania announced a proposal to rescind the medical malpractice venue rule which, for the past 16 years, has required all medical...more
On September 23, 2019, the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Corey v. Wilkes-Barre General Hospital held that divorce records, including attorney-client communications, were discoverable. The Superior Court’s decision in Corey...more
In a win for healthcare providers, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court confirmed in Mitchell v. Shikora that evidence of the risks and complications of a surgical procedure may be admissible in a medical negligence case that does...more
On June 12, 2019, the Pennsylvania General Assembly introduced Senate Bill No. 761, sponsored by Senator John R. Gordner (R-Columbia), in response to a 2017 decision from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court—Shinal v. Toms. Shinal...more
Pennsylvania law on negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) claims in medical malpractice cases is in constant flux. Recently, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania addressed one...more