U.S. Justice Department joins lawsuit against Georgia hospital

The Feds joined a False Claims Act lawsuit against Satilla Regional Medical Center, a Georgia Hospital. The lawsuit, filed by a nurse in 2007, alleges that the hospital allowed an unqualified physician, Najam Azmat, to perform endovascular procedures, leading to the death of at least one patient and injuries to several others. The hospital, which has faced numerous medical malpractice lawsuits due to Azmat’s care, defends itself and its credentialing process. Although the Justice Department has not filed its version of the allegations, according to the complaint filed by the nurse, the hospital and Azmat violated the False Claims Act by billing for procedures that were substandard or medically unnecessary (including dangerous procedures that Azmat lacked the requisite training and experience to perform).

For more information on this case or the False Claims Act, please contact Abby Pendleton, Esq. or Adrienne Dresevic, Esq., at (248) 996-8510, or visit the HLP website.