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Michigan Health Care Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Do you need a court order to stop feeding via peg-tube if patient has an advance directive stating that they want that?

My brother had a heart attack 20 years ago and it left him severely brain damaged. He has been in a semi-conscious state ever since, living in a nursing home, not able to communicate, walk, sit up unassisted, or follow commands. He does track people when they enter a room. He has been fed through a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 16, 2024

You will certainly need a court order. No medical facility is going to proceed otherwise on such an old directive, especially when there has been care to the contrary since then. There's simply way too much liability here to get it wrong.

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue physical therapy provider for not providing correct service?

I am being as to provide deposition statements for insurance company physical rehab case. They want me to state that clinic did not provide services as advertised. This is true, however do I have a legal interest?

Should I also sue rehab provider or join in lawsuit?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 10, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. You may want to consult with an attorney to discuss all aspects of this. Would you open yourself up to a libel action? Sometimes "not providing services as advertised" could be subject to debate. An... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Malpractice claim against a hospital but cannot afford expert testimony fees. Guidance on how to proceed is requested.

My client experienced negligence by hospital staff and now seeks to file a medical malpractice claim. However, an expert testimony report of negligence is required to support the claim, but my client cannot afford this. What steps should we take next?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 9, 2024

You're talking about an Affidavit of Merit. That's going to involve a review of the file. It may not end there. If you go to trial, that could also involve retaining medical experts, which don't come cheap. Med mal firms often front such costs and take them off the gross award at the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Malpractice claim against a hospital but cannot afford expert testimony fees. Guidance on how to proceed is requested.

My client experienced negligence by hospital staff and now seeks to file a medical malpractice claim. However, an expert testimony report of negligence is required to support the claim, but my client cannot afford this. What steps should we take next?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 5, 2024

If you are an attorney, I would suggest seeking co-counsel who can afford the cost of litigation, or refer the case out to a firm who can. Otherwise, there are loan companies who help finance litigation.

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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Gift of Life MI is a federally-designated organ and tissue recovery program are they subject to FOIA?

Are they subject to FOIA under 5 U.S. Code § 552 and or MCL 15.231?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Based on the information provided, it is unlikely that Gift of Life Michigan (GOLM) would be subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under 5 U.S.C. § 552 or the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under MCL 15.231. Here's the reasoning:

1. Federal FOIA (5...
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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: If people claim to be next of kin at the hospital when they are not, are they in disguise?

18 U.S.C. § 241

It is unlawful for two or more persons to go in disguise on the highway or on the premises of another with the intent to prevent or hinder his/her free exercise or enjoyment of any rights so secured. What healthcare rules and regulations are violated when hospital has a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 2, 2024

There are a few important legal and ethical considerations to unpack here:

Regarding your first question, if someone falsely claims to be next of kin at a hospital, they would not necessarily be "in disguise" in the literal sense. The federal law you cited (18 U.S.C. § 241)...
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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My wife is on hospice care and they are trying to evict us. We have never been late on rent until this month but we were

We were already being evicted when we missed our first rent payment here ever. What can we do

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 23, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm very sorry for the ordeal this must cause. As you already realize from your selection of categories, see if you could arrange a free initial consult with L-T attorneys in the state. Some firms today offer... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My wife is on hospice care and they are trying to evict us. We have never been late on rent until this month but we were

We were already being evicted when we missed our first rent payment here ever. What can we do

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

I'm truly sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing, especially during such a difficult time. First, it's important to review your lease agreement and any local tenant protection laws. Many areas have specific regulations that could provide protections for tenants in... View More

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Q: Is this eligibility requirement compliant with the legislation in question?

MCL 400.106a authorizes a medicaid program for working disabled. To be eligible applicants must have been “found to be disabled under the federal supplemental security income program or the social security disability income program; or would be found to be disabled except for earnings in excess... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

The eligibility requirement set forth by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) appears to align with the legislation outlined in MCL 400.106a. This law permits a Medicaid program specifically designed for the working disabled, indicating that applicants must meet certain... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Section 2843 of Act 368 Public Acts of 1978 who should sign the death certificate?

I have without success tried to consult with an attorney that option has not been made available to me.

The deceased was pronounced dead in the hospital in Michigan. Am I correct that the death certificate should have been signed by the chief medical officer based on available records or... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 29, 2024

To answer your question more succinctly: Ordinarily a death certificate would be signed by the doctor present at the time of death. The cause(s) of death would be those known to the doctor at the time or based on medical records. It is not uncommon for there to be multiple causes of death, and the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Section 2843 of Act 368 Public Acts of 1978 who should sign the death certificate?

I have without success tried to consult with an attorney that option has not been made available to me.

The deceased was pronounced dead in the hospital in Michigan. Am I correct that the death certificate should have been signed by the chief medical officer based on available records or... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2024

In Michigan, under Section 2843 of Act 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, the responsibility for signing a death certificate typically falls to the attending physician who was responsible for the care of the patient prior to death. This is generally the case when the death occurs in a hospital setting... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: May medical records be acquired by legal next of kin absent a valid certified copy of a death certificate?

It's been nearly six years a valid death certificate have not been received. There's wilful, intentional false and misleading information including decedent and parents names, cause of death, address, etcetera. The informant on death certificate named herself as next of kin at the morgue,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

It sounds like you're facing a complex and distressing situation regarding the acquisition of medical records for a deceased loved one. The lack of a valid death certificate after nearly six years is certainly concerning, especially given the discrepancies and false information that have been... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: If I have an outstanding bill with a medical office and they get new owners and a new name do u owe the outstanding bill
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

If a medical office changes ownership and adopts a new name, it does not automatically absolve you of any outstanding bills you may owe. Your financial responsibility for services rendered typically remains intact, regardless of changes in ownership or the name of the medical facility. The new... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: My surgeon broke 3 drills putting this screw in my si joint now my hip keeps locking up is this breach of care

I have constant pain and want the screw removed

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 21, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. But any attorney who answers your question would probably need to consult with a medical professional. They would want to learn more about the procedure and the full scope of damage (drill bits or other components... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Public Benefits and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: How may an individual gain access to their own records under the Privacy Act?

Is Michigan Vital Records and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services subject to the Privacy Act/FOIA for my own personal records? My request was denied stating that MDHHS is exempt; I requested repayment information. However, in the denial letter I was told to call the local MDHHS, I left... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 15, 2024

Under the Privacy Act, individuals have the right to access records about themselves held by federal agencies. However, this Act applies to federal agencies, not state agencies like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) or Michigan Vital Records. Each state has its own laws... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes, Criminal Law and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: What is the legal status of Psilocybin Liquid Culture in Michigan and in the United States of America as a whole?

It’s basically living mycelium suspended in a liquid culture solution. It’s like a spore syringe except its post germination and contains living mycelium

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

In Michigan, Psilocybin Liquid Culture, which consists of living mycelium suspended in a liquid culture solution, falls under the state's controlled substances laws. Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in Michigan.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Had a meningioma brain tumor surgery June 13, 2022. The surgery went okay. After care scratched his right eye now blind

My husband had the surgery. Somehow his eye got scratched. Now he can't see anything. Everything is blurry and double vision. We had to go to an eye specialist. They said there was a deep scratch in his eye. They had to sew it half shut because he can't close it all the way. We have to... View More

Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Nov 15, 2023

You may have a good lawsuit, since the injury was not something that you were at risk to expect from the surgery. You will need to go into more details with an attorney, to allow them to review this matter before reaching a final conclusion to determine whether this matter can move forward and is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: HIPAA violation resulting in threat of violence. Is this worth pursuing?

A Healthcare worker provided mine and my husband's description and vehicle information to her husband and had him come up to the hospital while we were leaving to block us going the opposite direction on the road. He then got out of his car and started yelling at my husband, stopped and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 17, 2024

The assault is worth pursuing; the HIPAA violation, probably not. Make a police report.

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Wrongful Death for Michigan on
Q: 2021 my father passed away from getting the Covid vaccine poor hospital treatment can I make someone accountable?

The death certificate says he died from Covid he had already recovered from Covid months before and decided to get vaccinated. Later that night and carrying into the the next day he was having a hard time breathing. We took him to the hospital where he spent the next 25 days alone because family... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 19, 2023

Might be worth a call to a medical malpractice firm, but under the circumstances, you may not find much relief. Foremost, you are likely running up against a statute of limitations.

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: How do how can I sue a hospital or doctor for malpractice

I would like more information on how to move forward in building a legal case against two doctors for malpractice and negelct. Acknowledged health discrepancies without disclosure and resulting in long term health issues.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Sep 20, 2023

The best way would be to consult with experienced medical malpractice attorneys in the State where this occurred.

For a malpractice case one almost always needs an expert doctor or other health care professional to testify the doctor acted below the standard of care and the malpractice...
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