Providing effective and quality healthcare is about risk - knowing it, identifying it, and then managing it. This is the same philosophy that RCO Law takes in representing every one of its healthcare clients.  Whether it is the risks involved in defending a medical malpractice case, or the risks involved in establishing and operating a new medical practice, our attorneys bring their breadth of knowledge and experience to each facet of the industry.  This allows us to provide our many healthcare clients with a holistic understanding of the many risks – and rewards – of caring for their patients.

Employment & Labor

We advise hospitals and physician groups on all aspects of the employment relationship, which includes defending against claims based upon civil rights, discrimination, workers’ compensation, and non-compete agreements.

Hospital Contracting & Purchasing

We regularly advise hospitals and practice groups on a variety of healthcare-related business transactions, including electronic medical record agreements, equipment purchases and lease agreements, and vendor contracts.

Medical Malpractice Defense

Often the worst day of a healthcare provider’s personal and professional life is when he or she is sued for malpractice. Through thoughtful preparation and planning, our attorneys have successfully defended Michigan and Ohio hospitals, professional practice groups, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare employees who have been sued for medical negligence and other related claims.

Medical Staff Governance

We understand and appreciate the important relationship between a hospital and its medical staff and we offer meaningful guidance in areas of quality assessment and improvement, credentialing/privileging, and general governance.

Physician Practices & Contracting

From establishing professional medical practices to managing and enforcing the terms of shareholder and partnership agreements, we take care of the details so that you can take care of your patients.

Regulatory Compliance

Through education and cooperation, we take the fear out of navigating – and complying with – Stark law, anti-kickback statutes, HIPAA, and Medicare / Medicaid reimbursement regulations.

Medical Malpractice

• Obtained dismissal mid-trial for hospital in medical negligence suit involving permanent cognitive injury;
• “No cause” verdict for physician specialist based upon allegations by physician plaintiff of injury during premature delivery.
• “No cause” verdict for physician specialist based upon allegation of delayed diagnosis of neurological condition causing permanent injury.
• Obtained judgment for a hospital and its nurses on causation grounds after it was alleged that the nurses’ delayed administration of antibiotics led to a patient’s death.
• Successful resolution of class-action medical negligence case.

Medical Staff Issues

• Representation of healthcare professionals and institutions involving credentialing and suspension or termination of privileges.
• Representation of healthcare professionals before state regulatory boards.

Physician Practices & Contracting

• Advise shareholders, directors, partners, and owners in corporate and entity governance, business succession and planning issues and capital transactions.
• Represented physician organization in structuring joint venture relationships with hospitals to operate hospital-based outpatient clinics.
• Negotiated numerous physician group practice service agreements and independent physician service agreements.

Hospitals

• Served as general counsel for a small rural hospital for over 20 years advising on all legal aspects of its operations.
• Advised hospital during the negotiation and successful implementation of an electronic health records access and management program.

Employment & Labor

• Favorable resolution on behalf of hospital of civil rights, discrimination, and labor claims.
• “No probable cause” finding from Ohio Civil Rights Commission on behalf of health care entity based upon a patient’s discrimination allegation.