New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo rocked the United States’ healthcare industry earlier this month after announcing that Ingenix, Inc., was providing faulty information to the nation’s largest healthcare insurers.  After an investigation into UnitedHealth Group’s- the parent company of Ingenix, Inc.- reimbursement process for out-of-network medical services, Cuomo discovered that UGH was defrauding customers by setting artificially low rates for patients, and therefore leaving them to foot most of their medical bills. Cuomo charged Ingenix, Inc., the nation’s largest healthcare billing information provider, with falsifying and manipulating their database.  The exploitation of their database had catastrophic effects because many of the nation’s largest healthcare insurance firms use the information provided by Ingenix, Inc. to determine reimbursement rates for out-of-network care.  The Attorney General is still investigating the extent to which the insurance industry as a whole is involved.  Currently, Cuomo has issued 16 subpoenas to the country’s largest health insurance providers including: Empire BlueCross Blue Shield, CIGNA, Aetna, as well as UnitedHealth Group and three of its subsidiaries.

As of current, Cuomo has not sued the company as he is investigating, in his words, "[an] industry-wide scheme perpetrated by some of the nation's largest health insurance companies to defraud consumers."  UnitedHealth Group has recently consented to pay $350 million to reimburse patients as settlement and terminate the lawsuit.  However, some feel a more personal attack by Ingenix, Inc.  Jeffrey Wientraub of Connecticut is rallying for a class action suit against Ingenix, Inc. itself.   Only time will tell the extent to which the health insurance industry has been infiltrated and the futures of both UnitedHealth Group and the nation’s health insurance industry as a whole.

On the night of September 4, 2008, three local residents were killed in a tragic collision at the intersection of S. Havana and E. Mississippi Ave. in Aurora that sent one vehicle crashing into the Baskin-Robbins on S. Havana.

From early reports, it appears as though a Chevy Suburban driven by 23 year old Francis Hernandez ran a red light at a high rate of speed while driving southbound on Havana. After crossing the intersection, the Suburban hit a Mazda pickup which was turning into a business on S. Havana. The force from the collision sent the pickup careening into the ice cream shop where a 2 year old boy was killed as he sat with his family. The two occupants of the pickup were also killed.  

Mr. Hernandez ran from the scene after his truck flipped over onto its side. He was caught a short time later and remains in jail.

Our condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrific accident. Let us all remember to be good to those around us as they can be taken from us at any time.

The Law Firm of Jason Crawford has represented accident victims and their families for more than 14 years. If you or your family needs to talk to an experienced accident lawyer, please call us todayat (303)741-0249

 For more information, please visit our website www.DenversAccidentLawyer.com

Danielle Barker, a 13 year old Ken Caryl resident, was seriously injured when she was hit by a Cadillac in front of her school. The girl was in a designated crosswalk at the time she was hit and the accident is still being investigated.

Liability for accidents such as these are often difficult to prove as we have to show that the victim in the crosswalk was legally crossing the intersection at the time of the accident.

I have secured settlements in several cases such as this one and know that they can be difficult, venthough the victim was withint the crosswalk. Often, the insurance company for the auto driver will try to say that the victim is somehow at fault - either entirely or in a large degree. Several local cases tried before juries have actually resulted in the jury finding that the driver was not at fault.

If you or your family member has been injured in such a crossing accident,  I urge you to contact as lawyer as soon as possible.

My firm has been handling such cases for over 14 years. For a free consultation please call (303) 741-0249.

A recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that current governement oversight is completely ineffective in keeping commerical truck drivers who have tested positive for illegal drugs off of the road. 

This study found that of 37 commercial drivers who had lost their jobs because of a positive drug test - 19 were back on the road less than one month later. These drivers may not have completed their required drug treatment and may have passed a new employment drug screen simply by using fake urine to fool drug tests.

 The problem is exacerbated by the fact that there is no national clearinghouse of information that potential employers can refer to to check a truck driver's drug history. Currently, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee is working on legislation to create such a clearinghouse to report and verify such violations. 

As an attorney who has represented accident victims who have been injured by semi-trucks, I hope this passes quickly. A 40 ton vehicle driven by a person with an alcohol or drug problems is too much of a danger to be on our nation's highways.

For more information see: http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20080729&id=8914925