Virginia Judge Orders ‘Disposal’ of Animals Seized from Natural Bridge Zoo, Citing Cruelty and Inadequate Care

LEXINGTON, Virginia — A significant ruling was made by a judge in Virginia on Friday regarding the fate of animals seized from the Natural Bridge Zoo. Out of the 96 animals confiscated last month following an investigation by the state attorney general, 57 will not be returned to the zoo. The judge determined that these animals were subjected to cruelty or inadequate care, leading to their disposals. The remaining 39 animals will be returned to the zoo due to insufficient evidence supporting their seizure. The decision was the result of a case heard in the … Read more

Class Action Lawsuit Accuses UnitedHealthcare of Wrongfully Denying Coverage Using AI Algorithm for Elderly Patients’ Post-Acute Care Claims

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A recent class action lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare alleges that the health insurance provider wrongfully denied claims for post-acute care using an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm. The plaintiffs claim that UnitedHealthcare’s use of the “nH Predict” AI algorithm led to the rejection of elderly patients’ claims for stays in skilled nursing-care facilities and in-home care. When these denials were appealed to federal administrative law judges, roughly 90% of them were overturned. This lawsuit follows a similar case earlier this year against health insurance company Cigna, where plaintiffs accused the company of automatically denying … Read more

New York City Mayor Files Lawsuit Seeking $708 Million in Costs from Charter Bus Companies for Migrants’ Care

New York City has filed a lawsuit against 17 charter bus and transportation companies, seeking to recover the costs associated with caring for over 33,000 migrants who were transported to the city. The lawsuit, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, alleges that the transportation of migrants without payment for their continued care is a violation of New York’s Social Services Law. The city is seeking to recoup at least $708 million, which is the amount it has spent on emergency shelter and services for migrants in the last 20 months. … Read more

Kowalski Family Awarded $211 Million in ‘Take Care of Maya’ Trial Against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Venice, Florida – After years of legal proceedings, a six-person jury has reached a verdict in the trial of the Kowalski family’s lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The family was awarded approximately $211 million in compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages, after the hospital was found liable on all seven claims brought against them. These claims included false imprisonment, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Kowalski family filed the lawsuit in 2018, more than a year after the death of Beata Kowalski following child abuse allegations and a subsequent investigation … Read more