NorthStar Anesthesia has been involved in several lawsuits in recent years. Here are some of the most notable cases:
NorthStar Anesthesia of Alabama LLC v. Noble (2016): This case involved a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of Paula Noble, who died after undergoing surgery at East Alabama Medical Center in 2014. The plaintiff alleged that NorthStar Anesthesia, which provided anesthesia services for the surgery, was negligent in its care of Noble. The case was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Hopkins v. NorthStar Anesthesia et al. (2023): This case is a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by Nicole Hopkins, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who worked for NorthStar Anesthesia. Hopkins alleges that she was subjected to sexual harassment and gender discrimination by her supervisor. The case is still ongoing.
NorthStar Anesthesia Patients May Have Been Affected by Breach (2023): In October 2023, it was reported that NorthStar Anesthesia was part of a data breach that affected millions of patients. The breach occurred at Arietis Health, a medical billing company that works with NorthStar Anesthesia. The breach exposed patients’ names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, state identification card numbers, addresses, Social Security numbers, and protected health information. NorthStar Anesthesia is currently notifying affected patients about the breach.
These are just a few of the lawsuits that NorthStar Anesthesia has been involved in. The company has a history of facing legal challenges, and it is important to be aware of these issues if you are considering using NorthStar Anesthesia for your anesthesia needs.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about NorthStar Anesthesia:
- The company has a mixed track record in court. It has won some cases, but it has also lost some cases and been involved in several settlements.
- The company has been criticized for its billing practices. Some patients have complained about receiving unexpected bills from NorthStar Anesthesia.
- The company has been accused of putting profits ahead of patient care. Some patients have alleged that NorthStar Anesthesia providers have rushed them through their procedures and have not taken the time to properly address their concerns.
If you are considering using NorthStar Anesthesia, it is important to do your research and weigh the risks and benefits carefully. You should also consider talking to your doctor about your concerns.