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NEWS

Nurse & Healthcare Legal Cases You Need to Know About This Week

Written By: Brandy Pinkerton
RN, Travel Nurse
32 Min Read Published May 29, 2025
Nurse & Healthcare Legal Cases You Need to Know About This Week

Legal cases in healthcare don’t just impact the individuals involved—they set precedents that can reshape nursing practice, influence hospital policies, and even change laws. Whether it’s a malpractice lawsuit, a wrongful termination case, or the criminal prosecution of a healthcare worker, these legal battles impact the medical profession as a whole. Staying informed is essential for protecting your license, understanding your rights, and advocating for safer workplace conditions.

Nurses Month Giveaway

Nurses! 🎉 100+ prizes—cash, scrubs, shoes & more! Enter below + watch your fave nurse creators for extra chances!

By entering this sweepstakes, you agree to receive emails from Nurse.org. No purchase necessary. Alternate entry method and official rules. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time using the “unsubscribe” link provided in every email, in accordance with Nurse.org privacy policy.

Each week, new legal cases emerge that could have lasting implications for nurses and the healthcare industry. By staying up to date, nurses can better protect themselves, advocate for systemic change, and ensure they’re practicing within the evolving legal framework of their profession. Here’s what you need to know this week.

  • Med Spas Face Major Changes After IV Therapy Death Sparks “Jenifer’s Law” in Texas: Following the tragic death of Jenifer Cleveland, who died after receiving an IV therapy treatment administered by an unlicensed individual at a Texas med spa, Texas lawmakers have passed House Bill 3749—known as “Jenifer’s Law”—to impose stricter regulations on who can administer IV therapies in these settings. The new law, set to take effect September 1, 2025 if signed by the governor, requires that only physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, or registered nurses may administer elective IV therapy, and only under physician supervision. This legislation marks a major shift toward increased patient safety and accountability for medical spas offering IV treatments.

  • Ex-Harvard Medical School Morgue Manager Admits to Trafficking Stolen Human Remains: Cedric Lodge, the former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2025, to stealing and selling human remains—including organs, brains, and skin—from cadavers donated for research and education, transporting them from Boston to his home in New Hampshire before selling them to buyers across state lines. The trafficking network involved several individuals who purchased and resold the remains, with some parts ending up in a Massachusetts store known for selling “creepy dolls and bone art”. 

  • Ohio Nurse Accused of Stealing Fentanyl From Hospital Supply, Faces 20 Felony Counts:A 35-year-old Ohio nurse, Nicolette Gilger, was arrested in May 2025 and accused of stealing fentanyl from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Warren, Ohio, where she worked as a registered nurse. Gilger faces nearly 20 felony counts, including possession of a fentanyl-related compound, theft of drugs, deception to obtain a dangerous drug, and illegal processing of drug documents, with the alleged thefts occurring between late December 2024 and early January 2025. She was released from jail the same day and is scheduled for arraignment on June 11, as hospital officials emphasized their commitment to patient safety and cooperation with law enforcement.

  • How Will the New ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ Change Medical Student and NP Loans:The newly passed House bill, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” will dramatically overhaul federal student loan programs by eliminating most existing repayment options and capping total borrowing at $200,000 for medical students and other higher education borrowers, while also introducing stricter limits on Parent PLUS and Direct PLUS loans. Medical and dental residents will generally be excluded from Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and the bill removes deferments for economic hardship and unemployment, potentially increasing financial strain on future healthcare professionals. These changes could make it more difficult and expensive for medical students and nurse practitioners to finance their education, potentially exacerbating workforce shortages in healthcare.

Last Week

  • Pregnant Nurse Declared Brain Dead—Hospital Won’t Let Her Die Under Georgia Abortion Law:  Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant nurse in Georgia, was declared brain dead in February but remains on life support at Emory University Hospital because doctors say Georgia’s strict abortion law requires it until her fetus can be delivered. Her family says the law has taken away their ability to make end-of-life decisions, leaving them powerless as Smith’s body is kept functioning solely for the pregnancy. The case has sparked legal and ethical debates about the interpretation of Georgia’s abortion ban and its impact on patient and family rights.
  • 9 Healthcare Organizations Sue The Federal Government Over Deleted Health Data & Websites: A coalition of nine health organizations—including several based in Washington state—has filed a federal lawsuit to block the removal of public health data and to restore essential websites that have been taken offline by the executive branch. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, seeks to require the federal government to reinstate taxpayer-funded health and science resources that have been deleted since January, including data on topics such as pregnancy risks, opioid-use disorder, and the AIDS epidemic. The plaintiffs argue that these removals, driven by executive orders, undermine evidence-based care and public health by depriving clinicians, researchers, and the public of critical information.
  • $2M Medicare Scam: Nurse Practitioner Faked Exams, Ordered Equipment Patients Didn’t Need:Shanone Chatman-Ashley, a 45-year-old nurse practitioner from Opelousas, Louisiana, was convicted in May 2025 for running a $2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving durable medical equipment. The case highlights major vulnerabilities in telehealth practices. 
  • 2 Fake Nurses Who Stole From Elderly Residents at Senior Living Community Arrested: Gina Hernandez, 32, and Elsa Vasquez, 30, were arrested on May 8, 2025, by Austin police for a series of thefts targeting elderly residents in Central Texas. The pair allegedly impersonated nurses to gain access to seniors’ homes, where they stole wallets and financial documents, and now face multiple felony charges including nurse impersonation, exploitation of the elderly, and theft.
  • Nurse Arrested After Pulling Mom’s ICU Breathing Tube-Charged With Manslaughter: Juansette Sabrina Green, a 54-year-old Miami nurse, was charged with aggravated manslaughter after allegedly removing her terminally ill mother’s breathing tube in the ICU at Northshore Medical Center. Authorities say Green told staff she wanted her mother “to go in peace” before the act, which led to her mother’s death and her subsequent arrest.
  • $31M Fine for Hospital System That Gave Referring Docs Strip Club Trips & Lavish Perks: Community Health System (CHS) and its affiliate Physician Network Advantage Inc. agreed to pay a $31.5 million settlement after being accused of providing lavish perks—including strip club trips, luxury vacations, and expensive gifts—to physicians in exchange for patient referrals. The Department of Justice found these kickbacks violated federal law, and CHS will now operate under a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with increased oversight and compliance requirements.
  • HCA Wanted Gag Order In Nurse Leela Case Citing “Surge in Online Hate”—Judge Said No: Judge G. Joseph Curley Jr. denied HCA Florida’s request for a gag order in the legal case following the February attack on nurse Leelamma Lal at Palms West Hospital, allowing attorneys and the media to continue discussing the case publicly. HCA’s legal team argued that public statements could prejudice a future jury, but the judge ruled that restricting speech was inappropriate at this stage.
  • Nurse Accused of Lying About Rounds After Veteran Left Unchecked, Dies by Suicide Feds Say: Federal prosecutors have charged former Houston VA nurse Christiana Ogbonnaya with making or using false writings or documents in connection with the death of 74-year-old Vietnam veteran James Duplechain. The charges come nearly a year after Duplechain’s body was discovered hanging from a phone charging cable in his hospital room, where it had reportedly been left unchecked for about eight hours.
  • Nurse Gets License Back After Admitting To Buying a Fake Nursing Degree and It Was Revoked: An Iowa nurse who admitted to buying fake nursing credentials and had his license revoked has now been granted a new license to practice. The Iowa Board of Nursing reinstated Enome Massango’s license despite his previous admission to using fraudulent transcripts and diplomas as a shortcut to legitimate nursing education.

Recent

  • NICU Nurse Who Broke Preemie Babies' Bones on Purpose Has Nursing License Suspended Update:  Former Henrico NICU nurse Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman now faces 20 felony charges, including malicious wounding and child abuse, after multiple infants were found with unexplained injuries between 2022 and 2024. She is currently under house arrest with GPS monitoring and has waived her right to a jury trial, which is set for February 2026. The case has raised concerns about delayed reporting at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital.
  • Iowan whose nurse's license was revoked for fraudulent diploma gets a new license: An Iowa man whose nursing license was previously revoked for obtaining a fraudulent diploma has been granted a new license after meeting the state’s educational requirements. The Iowa Board of Nursing determined he now possesses the proper qualifications to practice as a registered nurse. This decision allows him to return to nursing despite his earlier misconduct.
  • Man accused of spreading gasoline throughout chapel at UCHealth hospital: A man was arrested and faces arson charges after allegedly pouring gasoline inside the chapel at UCHealth hospital in Aurora, Colorado earlier this week. Authorities responded to the scene and took the suspect into custody without any injuries reported. The incident caused concern but was contained quickly, and the chapel sustained damage from the gasoline.
  • Nurse Says Manager Sexually Assaulted Her at Party: A former manager at El Camino Hospital, Evyatar Nitzany, has been charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney with sexual battery, indecent exposure, and false imprisonment after allegedly assaulting a nurse at a retirement party in March 2024. The nurse claims the hospital failed to act on her complaint because the incident occurred off-site, leading her to file a lawsuit against El Camino Hospital for failing to protect her and causing emotional distress. Nitzany resigned from his position in January 2025 as part of a settlement, and the hospital states it is taking the allegations seriously while reviewing the matter.
  • Home Health Nurse Arrested for Abuse and 'Torture' of Disabled, Non-Verbal Minor Patient: A St. Cloud, Florida home health nurse, Nia Ayers, was arrested after surveillance footage showed her abusing an 18-year-old nonverbal, disabled patient in her care. The video revealed Ayers repeatedly taping the patient’s mouth shut, ripping the tape off, holding a washcloth over her mouth, and aggressively shaking her BiPAP breathing machine while it was connected to her nose. The abuse came to light after the victim’s mother noticed unexplained injuries and reviewed home security footage; Ayers has since turned herself in and faces felony charges of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult.
  • New York hospital settles OB-GYN abuse case for $750M: Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital have agreed to a $750 million settlement to resolve 576 lawsuits brought by former patients of OB-GYN Robert Hadden, who was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of women over two decades at the institutions. The settlement, approved by a Manhattan judge in May 2025, brings the total legal payouts related to Hadden’s abuse to over $1 billion. Hadden is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence, and Columbia has announced new safety measures and an external investigation in response to the scandal.
  • Missing mother and nurse out of Turlock found dead south of Fresno: Kelsy Ramos, a 44-year-old nurse from Turlock, California, who was reported missing on May 2, 2025, was found dead on May 5 in a room she had rented in Selma. Police say there was no evidence of foul play at the scene, and the official cause of death is pending coroner and toxicology reports. Ramos’ disappearance and death have prompted an outpouring of grief in her community, where she was known for her compassionate work in nursing care and dedication to her family.
  • Congress Introduces Safe Staffing Bill on International Nurses Day: On International Nurses Day, May 12, 2025, members of Congress introduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, a federal bill that would require hospitals to implement minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios nationwide. The legislation, supported by National Nurses United and the American Nurses Association, aims to improve patient safety, reduce nurse burnout, and provide whistleblower protections for nurses advocating for safe staffing. Sponsors highlight that decades of research link safe staffing to better patient outcomes, and the bill is modeled after California’s successful nurse staffing law. 
  • Trump Signs Order Aiming to Cut Some U.S. Drug Prices to Match Lower Ones Abroad: On May 12, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order directing pharmaceutical companies to lower U.S. drug prices to match those paid in other developed countries, aiming for reductions of up to 90%. The order sets a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to meet new price benchmarks or face additional measures, including possible tariffs and regulatory changes. While the move fulfills a campaign promise to address high prescription costs, analysts and legal experts caution that the policy may face significant implementation challenges and legal obstacles, and its actual impact on drug prices remains uncertain.

  • Fake Nurse Wanted By Houston Police: Houston police are searching for Dazael Gloria, 33, who is accused of impersonating a nurse and providing unauthorized medical care to disabled children and adults using a stolen identity12. Gloria, who had previously surrendered his nursing license, allegedly worked at two home healthcare agencies between 2022 and 2023, putting vulnerable patients at risk and committing additional crimes such as theft. Authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest, highlighting serious concerns about credential verification in healthcare.

  • Louisiana Nurse Practitioner Convicted In $2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme: Shanone Chatman-Ashley, a 45-year-old nurse practitioner from Opelousas, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury for orchestrating a $2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment. Between 2017 and 2019, she signed over 1,000 false orders for knee braces and other equipment without examining patients, receiving kickbacks from telehealth companies. Chatman-Ashley was found guilty of five counts of healthcare fraud and faces up to 10 years in prison per count, with sentencing scheduled for July 31, 2025.

  • West Virginia removes physician supervision rule for CRNAs: West Virginia has enacted a new law removing the requirement for physician supervision of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Starting July 7, 2025, CRNAs in West Virginia will be allowed to administer anesthesia "in cooperation with"-rather than under the supervision of-a physician, dentist, or podiatrist, granting them greater autonomy and improving access to anesthesia care, especially in rural areas.

  • Nurses, good Samaritans thwart kidnapping attempt of teen girl in New Jersey: In North Bergen, New Jersey, two nurses and several good Samaritans intervened to stop a kidnapping attempt of a 17-year-old girl on April 23, 2025. The suspect, Roberto Canavalan, allegedly grabbed the girl and put her in a chokehold before the nurses and bystanders rushed to her aid and pulled her away, leading to his arrest on kidnapping and child endangerment charges.

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Antitrust Settlement Payouts: The $2.67 billion BCBS antitrust class action settlement-one of the largest in U.S. healthcare history-will begin direct payouts to eligible claimants in May 2025. The lawsuit alleged BCBS companies conspired to limit competition and inflate healthcare costs. Payments are now being distributed to those who filed claims by the deadline.

  • UnitedHealth Cyberattack Lawsuits: Medical practices are suing UnitedHealth Group, alleging negligence after a major cyberattack on its Change Healthcare payment system disrupted healthcare payments nationwide. Practices claim UnitedHealth is now pressuring them for loan repayments and denying claims, leading to new legal filings in federal court this week.

  • State Attorneys General vs. HHS Layoffs: Nineteen state attorneys general filed a lawsuit on May 7, 2025, challenging the federal government's restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which resulted in mass layoffs and cuts to critical health programs.

  • Healthcare Fraud Lawsuits: New lawsuits continue to be filed against providers and companies for alleged healthcare fraud, including improper billing, kickbacks, and submitting false claims to federal programs.

  • Nurse Choked and Slammed by Patient Angry Over Discharge Wait Time: A nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital in Kentucky was violently attacked on April 26, 2025, by a patient frustrated over discharge delays. The patient, Mykeisha Johnson, placed the nurse in a chokehold, slammed her to the ground, and punched her multiple times before being restrained by staff. Johnson was arrested at the scene and admitted to the assault, stating she acted out of anger over the wait; she now faces several felony charges and remains in custody

  • Iowa Nurse Sentenced to Prison After Refusing to Suction Patient’s Tracheostomy, Resulting in Death: Becky Sue Manning, a 70-year-old licensed practical nurse in Iowa, was sentenced to two years in prison after refusing to suction an 87-year-old patient’s tracheostomy tube despite repeated requests from the patient and multiple staff members. The patient, Marvin "Pete" Jacobs, died of asphyxiation at Fonda Specialty Care in February 2023. Manning entered an Alford plea to wanton neglect charges and also faces ongoing civil litigation from the patient’s family, while the nursing home was fined by state regulators.

  • Manslaughter Case Against Nurse Practitioner Dropped, But Felony Charges Remain: A nurse practitioner from Anchorage, Alaska, recently had a manslaughter charge dismissed in connection with a 2015 opioid overdose death. However, she still faces other serious felony charges related to the case. The legal proceedings against her are ongoing as of late April 2025. 

  • Patient Who Stabbed Paramedic, Graham Hoffman, To Death Charged With Murder: Graham Hoffman, a 29-year-old Kansas City firefighter paramedic, was fatally stabbed in the heart by patient Shanetta Bossell while transporting her to the hospital on April 27, 2025. Bossell, who had recently been released on bond for a separate assault, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. She is currently being held on a $1 million bond and faces a potential life sentence if convicted

  • Trump Administration Defunds Death Risk Reducing Hospital AI System: The Trump administration abruptly withdrew federal funding for the CONCERN AI system, a hospital tool modeled on nurses’ observations that reduced in-hospital deaths by over 35% and shortened patient stays. The funding cut halted plans to expand the system’s use, especially into pediatric care, despite its proven success in improving patient outcomes.

  • Nurses Face Pay Delays as DOGE Freezes Some Federal Health Grants​: A new federal “Defend the Spend” policy has frozen billions in healthcare grants, causing pay delays for nurses at federally funded clinics, especially those serving vulnerable populations. The freeze has led to payroll backlogs, potential furloughs, and service disruptions in at least ten states, leaving nurses and clinics facing uncertainty and increased stress.

  • Nurses Say Youth Psych Patient Attacks Caused Spinal Injuries and Miscarriage: Three nurses at Iowa’s Independence Mental Health Institute have filed legal claims after violent assaults by juvenile psychiatric patients left them with severe injuries, including spinal damage and, in one case, a miscarriage. The nurses allege that chronic understaffing, faulty emergency equipment, and a lack of safety measures at the facility contributed to the attacks and their life-altering consequences

  • Nurse Fired for Reusing Needleless Syringes at Chesapeake Regional: A nurse at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center was fired after reusing needleless syringes to administer IV medications in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit over an 18-month period. The hospital is notifying potentially affected patients, offering free bloodborne pathogen testing, and emphasizes that the risk of infection is extremely low since :no blood exchange occurred with the needleless equipment.

  • Filipino Nurses Shaken by Deadly Vancouver Festival Rampage: Filipino nurses in Vancouver were left shaken and deeply affected after an SUV plowed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, killing 11 people and injuring dozens, including members of their own community. Many Filipino nurses rushed to help the wounded at the scene, and leaders say the tragedy has caused significant emotional trauma for those who provided care and for the broader Filipino-Canadian community

  • Man charged with assault of three nurses at Barnes-Jewish Hospital: A man has been charged with assaulting three nurses at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, according to police reports released on April 30, 2025. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in hospital settings.

  • Healthcare providers can deny care that conflicts with conscience under new Tennessee law: Tennessee’s new Medical Ethics Defense Act, signed into law in April 2025, allows healthcare providers-including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and insurance companies-to refuse to perform, participate in, or pay for medical procedures or treatments that conflict with their sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. The law also protects providers from civil or criminal liability for such refusals and includes whistleblower protections for those reporting violations. However, the law does not apply to emergency medical situations or services required by federal law.

  • Fake NYC Doctor Arrested After Illegal Surgery Leaves Woman Brain-Dead: A Queens man, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, was arrested after performing an illegal cosmetic surgery in his home clinic that left 31-year-old María Paz Peñaloza brain-dead and later deceased. Hoyos-Foronda, who falsely claimed to be a doctor, administered a dangerous dose of lidocaine during a buttock implant removal, causing cardiac arrest. He fled the scene but was caught at JFK Airport trying to leave the country. Authorities found his apartment set up as an unauthorized clinic, and he now faces charges of assault and unauthorized medical practice.

  • 79% of Maryland Nurses, Linked To Fake License Fraud Scheme, Cleared—54 Weren't: An audit found that 79% of Maryland nurses linked to the national “Operation Nightingale” fake license scheme were cleared by the state board, but 54 cases were not. Actions taken included revoking practice privileges, referring cases for prosecution, and accepting license surrenders, with some investigations still ongoing. The audit also highlighted delays and oversight issues in the board’s investigative process.

  • VA Nurses Rally Nationwide Over Proposed Staffing Cuts and Rising Vacancies: On April 16, 2025, nurses and federal workers staged nationwide rallies outside U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals to protest proposed staffing cuts and highlight nearly 9,000 unfilled nursing positions. Organized by National Nurses United, the protests warned that rolling back staffing to 2019 levels—eliminating up to 80,000 jobs—would further strain already overburdened teams, force nurses to take on non-clinical duties, and jeopardize care for veterans. Despite VA assurances that patient services would not be affected, nurses argue the cuts would worsen wait times, reduce quality of care, and undermine the VA’s mission to serve veterans

  • Fake Nurse Used Dating Apps to Kidnap and Assault Women—Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison: Herman Calvin Brightman, a 31-year-old New Jersey man, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after posing as a nurse on dating apps like Facebook and Hinge to kidnap and assault at least four women across New York and New Jersey. Using aliases and fake credentials, Brightman lured women into relationships, then became violent—kidnapping one woman and her child at knifepoint, and threatening, assaulting, or stalking others when they tried to end contact. In addition to prison time, he will serve three years of supervised release for his crimes committed between January 2022 and September 2023

  • Whistleblower Nurse Dies by Suicide After Reporting Patient Abuse; Retaliation Lawsuit: Shannon Billheimer, a traveling nurse at Iowa’s Woodward Resource Center, died by suicide in April 2023 after being fired for reporting patient abuse she witnessed at the facility. Her family has filed a lawsuit against the center and her staffing agency, alleging that retaliation for her whistleblowing contributed to her death. The case highlights ongoing concerns about institutional retaliation against healthcare whistleblowers and the severe personal toll it can take

  • Luigi Mangione Indicted  in Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson: Luigi Mangione has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Manhattan on charges including murder with a firearm, stalking, and firearms offenses in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel on December 4, 2024. The indictment makes Mangione eligible for the death penalty, which federal prosecutors have been directed to pursue by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty, also faces state murder and terrorism charges, while his defense attorneys argue that seeking the death penalty is politically motivated and have filed motions to challenge it. 

  • ANA Slams Leaked HHS Budget and Proposed Cuts to Nursing Research & Education: The American Nurses Association (ANA) has strongly condemned a leaked draft of the proposed 2026 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget, which would slash federal funding for nursing research and workforce development by eliminating the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and nearly all Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, except the Nurse Corps scholarship. The ANA warns these cuts would jeopardize nurse-led research, reduce scholarships and educational opportunities, and worsen the national nursing shortage, ultimately harming patient care and public health. The association is urging the administration and Congress to reconsider, highlighting the cost-effective and vital role these programs play in supporting evidence-based healthcare and a robust nursing workforce

  • Nurse Practitioner Full Practice Authority Bill Fails To Pass In Mississippi:  A bill that would have granted full practice authority to nurse practitioners in Mississippi—allowing them to practice independently without physician supervision after meeting certain clinical experience requirements—failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session. Despite support for expanding access to care, especially in rural areas facing physician shortages, the legislation did not advance beyond committee review. As a result, nurse practitioners in Mississippi must continue to work under collaborative agreements with physicians.

  • Major Medical Malpractice Verdict: In Georgia, the state’s largest-ever emergency room malpractice verdict was upheld: a $40 million award against an ER doctor for gross negligence in a stroke misdiagnosis case, reinforcing accountability for catastrophic patient harm.

  • Dameron Hospital Settles Class Action Data Breach Lawsuit For $650,000: Dameron Hospital in California settled a class action lawsuit for $650,000 related to a data breach that compromised patient information

  • Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Nursing Home Staffing Mandate: A federal judge in Texas struck down the Biden administration’s controversial nursing home staffing mandate on April 8, 2025, dealing a blow to efforts aimed at establishing nationwide minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in long-term care facilities. 

  • Deputies shoot, kill man brandishing firearm at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center: Early Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, became the scene of a deadly incident when Pasquotank County deputies fatally shot an armed man who had threatened hospital staff with a firearm. 

  • Nurses celebrate vote to advance S.B. 632 to protect frontline nurses and other health care workers: Nurses across California are celebrating after the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee voted to advance S.B. 632, a bill authored by Senator Jesse Arreguín and sponsored by the California Nurses Association. If enacted, S.B. 632 would make nurses and other healthcare workers automatically eligible for workers’ compensation for a range of injuries and illnesses—such as infectious diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal injuries, PTSD, and respiratory conditions—by establishing a presumption that these are work-related. 

  • Ex-nurse sentenced to 90 days for neglect that led to N.J. student’s death: A former nurse has been sentenced to probation and jail time in the death of a 19-year-old disabled man who died shortly after returning home from school, authorities announced Monday. Emilio J. Rivera, 30, of Carlstadt, pleaded guilty in February to endangering another person and neglect of a disabled person, both third-degree crimes, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Jewish Hospital nurse stabbed outside hospital, LMPD: A nurse was stabbed outside Jewish Hospital in Louisville on Saturday morning, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. as the nurse was leaving her shift and waiting outside for a ride. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken inside the hospital for treatment. All parties involved have been accounted for, and the suspect has been arrested.

  • Male nurse files suit accusing St. Elizabeth of gender discrimination: A male nurse, Matthew McVay, 52, who worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Thomas for over four years, has filed a lawsuit in Kenton County Circuit Court alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. McVay resigned from his position in December before filing the complaint, which accuses the hospital of unfair treatment based on his gender.

  • Seattle Public Schools Sued Over Treatment of Pregnant, Nursing Employees: The Washington State Attorney General filed a civil rights lawsuit against Seattle Public Schools, alleging the district repeatedly failed to accommodate pregnant and nursing employees as required by state law. The suit claims staff were denied flexible breaks, modified schedules, and the ability to sit, and some faced retaliation for requesting accommodations

  • Stanford Health Care $10M Nurse Meal Break Settlement: Stanford Health Care agreed to a $10 million class action settlement over allegations it failed to provide legally required meal breaks and pay premiums to hourly nurses in California. The settlement covers nurses who worked from March 2018 to April 2024. 

  • Braidwood: the Supreme Court case targeting PrEP and impacting preventive healthcare for Americans: The Supreme Court is set to review the constitutionality of the ACA’s preventive care mandates, including requirements for HIV prevention coverage (PrEP), in the case Kennedy v. Braidwood Management. The outcome could impact access to free preventive healthcare for millions of Americans, with employers advised to maintain current coverage until a decision is reached.

  • DOGE Funding Cuts Are Impacting Nursing Outreach Programs Nationwide: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has implemented numerous healthcare grant terminations that affect community-based nursing programs. These cuts—part of broader federal austerity measures—if final, likely will dismantle critical public health infrastructure, leaving vulnerable populations without (or with reduced) access to preventive care, addiction treatment, and chronic disease management. 

  • Union Rights of Federal Healthcare Workers Threatened by Recent Executive Order: President Trump recently signed an executive order that could impact over 1 million federal employees' union rights, including nurses employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. The executive order titled "Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs" was signed on March 27, 2025.The executive order specifically targets agencies with "national security missions," explicitly including the VA because it "serves as the backstop healthcare provider for wounded troops in wartime". This classification provides the administration's justification for removing the VA from federal labor-management relations programs that have protected workers' rights for decades.

  • Colonial Heights Nursing Home Court Records Expose Abuse Texts, Lead to Felony Charges: Virginia Colonial Heights nursing home is at the center of a growing investigation involving patient neglect, falsified medical records, medication errors, and elder abuse—with some staff now facing felony charges and one nurse accused in the death of a patient.

  • 20K HHS Jobs Cuts, RFK Cites 'Excess Admin'—Focus Turns to Frontline Healthcare & Science: In a sweeping overhaul announced on March 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will eliminate 20,000 positions—half through direct layoffs—and close multiple agencies in what represents the most significant restructuring of the department in decades. RFK Jr. states that the department is focused on increasing the number of scientists and frontline healthcare workers. 

  • Police Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Chainsaw-Wielding Man at Assisted Living Facility: An investigation into the fatal police shooting of a man wielding a chainsaw inside a senior living facility has found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers involved. The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, Illinois State Police, and St. Charles Police Department confirmed the findings following the December 1, 2024, incident at River Glen of St. Charles.

  • New-Grad Nurse Indicted After Wheelchair-Bound Patient Found Dead on Patio: ​​​Amber Henderson, a 31-year-old nurse at the Avenue at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center, has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, tampering with records, and patient neglect, following the death of wheelchair-bound 84-year-old Alvera Meuti at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

  • Nurse Falls Asleep Driving After 3 Night Shifts—Deadly Crash Leads to 2nd Degree Homicide By Vehicle Charge: Kayla Proctor, a 24-year-old nurse at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Georgia, was driving home after working three night shifts in a row—each lasting around 12.5 hours. On her way home, she fell asleep at the wheel and was involved in a crash that killed a 72-year-old Jean Holbrook. According to news reports, Proctor told deputies she was coming off her third consecutive night shift when she fell asleep at the wheel. She was arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. “Her shift was approximately twelve and a half hours long, and this was her third night shift in a row,” police say. 

  • Psych Nurses Call 911 as 15+ Youth Patients Violently Attack, Police Blocked From Entering: On March 8, 2025, at around 8:30 PM, a chaotic and scary incident occurred at UofL Peace Hospital in Louisville, when approximately 15 juvenile patients started fighting, became violent and out of control -- then assaulted staff. Multiple staff members were violently attacked by the juveniles and were forced to hide inside a locked area of the nurse’s station, where they desperately called 911 for help while patients attempted to break down the door. Those 911 calls were released and revealed shocking details about the events and the reasons behind the delayed police response. 

  •  New Virginia Law Expands Nurse Midwife Roles Amid Maternity Care Crisis: A new state law, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allows certified nurse midwives to play a larger role in addressing Virginia’s maternity care shortages. By permitting midwives to serve on 24-hour nursery duty rosters when physicians are unavailable, the law aims to improve access to care in underserved areas. However, its success depends on hospital boards, which may resist fully integrating midwives due to longstanding preferences for physician-led models.

  • Vancouver Nurse Strangled Unconscious in Psychiatric Unit Raises Safety Concerns: On March 13, a nurse at Vancouver General Hospital was violently attacked and strangled unconscious by a patient with a history of violence, prompting renewed calls for improved hospital security. The nurse, who was not treating the assailant, was rescued by colleagues and is now recovering at home. The BC Nurses’ Union has criticized the lack of immediate police reporting and inadequate safety measures, emphasizing the growing risks healthcare workers face in understaffed facilities.

  • Scientists Sue NIH, Saying Politics Cut Their Research Funding: On April 2, 2025, a coalition of scientists and health organizations sued the National Institutes of Health (NIH), claiming that research grants were revoked due to political motivations. The lawsuit alleges that funding for critical areas such as HIV prevention and maternal health disparities was unlawfully terminated

  • Justice Department Backs Lawsuit Against Data Analytics Firm: On March 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice supported healthcare providers in a lawsuit against MultiPlan (now Claritev) and health insurers. The case alleges that the use of MultiPlan’s pricing algorithm manipulated reimbursements for out-of-network services, violating federal antitrust laws

  • Saint Anthony Hospital Sues Illinois Over Medicaid Payments: Chicago-based Saint Anthony Hospital filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois, alleging improper Medicaid reimbursement practices. The hospital claims the state failed to provide transparency on how payments are calculated under fee-for-service and managed-care programs

Legal issues in healthcare are constantly evolving, and staying informed is one of the best ways for nurses to protect themselves, their patients, and their profession. From malpractice lawsuits to workplace protections and criminal cases, each legal battle carries lessons that can shape the future of nursing. By understanding these cases, nurses can better navigate their own practice, advocate for change, and ensure they are prepared for any legal challenges they may face.

Check back each week for updates on the latest legal cases impacting nurses and the healthcare industry. Staying informed is the first step in staying protected.

If you have a news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today! Or email info@nurse.org

🤔 Nurses, share your thoughts on the lawsuits and legal cases below. 

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If you have a news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today! Or email info@nurse.org

 

Brandy Pinkerton
RN, Travel Nurse
Brandy Pinkerton
Nurse.org Contributor

Brandy Pinkerton is a seasoned RN with a diverse and exciting career as a travel nurse. For the first ten years of Brandy’s career, she worked as a NICU and PICU nurse and then switched to a critical care float pool role at a children’s hospital in her home state of Texas. This opportunity gave Brandy the experience she needed to float to different units, including cardiovascular, hematology, oncology, and many others. She pursued travel nursing, allowing her to travel to states across the nation, including Colorado, Florida, South Carolina, Nevada, and Montana. Learn more about her on site: TravelNurse101

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