Becker's Spine Review has reported on two court cases naming orthopedic surgeons and practices since Jan. 1:
1. Robert Kayal, MD, and Kayal Orthopedic Center paid $225,000 as part of a $425,000 settlement in a lawsuit that accused a New Jersey city and its physicians of wrongfully attempting to terminate the employment of a former fire captain over his injury leave. The lawsuit stems from a 2017 incident in which James Reyes was fired for allegedly performing demanding tasks at home — such as shoveling snow and lifting garbage cans — while on paid leave for a work injury, according to the report.
2. An administrative assistant at Westmont, Ill.-based Hinsdale Orthopaedics has been sentenced to one year in prison for writing fraudulent opioid prescriptions. From 2017-19, Amanda Biesiada fraudulently wrote 85 prescriptions to an acquaintance for hydrocodone and oxycodone, among other controlled substances, the Justice Department said. She wrote the prescriptions on behalf of six providers at Hinsdale Orthopaedics who did not direct or approve them.