Health Law
Caveat Medicus: Physician Liability under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act
March 2007
In February, the Kansas Supreme Court held in the case of Williamson v. Amrani that a medical negligence plaintiff who alleges that “a physician has willfully failed to state a material fact or has willfully concealed a material fact” can make a claim for deceptive acts and practices and/or unconscionable acts and practices under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (the “KCPA”). This decision has adverse implications for health care providers in Kansas. Fortunately, the Kansas Legislature is considering overturning the Williamson decision.
Standards of Conduct for Physicians and Attorneys
December 2006
Involved in Legal Disputes Concerning Evidence of Medical Matters
Becoming involved in legal disputes concerning evidence of medical matters can be a time-consuming and even stressful experience. Recognizing that mutual cooperation of physicians and attorneys is essential to the orderly resolution of such disputes, the Wichita Bar Association and the Medical Society of Sedgwick County have adopted the Sedgwick County Medical-Legal Code. This Code contains a declaration of standards of conduct for both attorneys and physicians involved in such matters.
The Confusing Federal Estate Tax Picture
October 2006
The current state of the law with respect to the Federal Estate Tax is complex and at least somewhat confusing. As a result, taxpayers with significant assets are faced with difficult decisions in putting together the optimum estate plan. Adding to the confusion is the possibility that Congress will either repeal the Estate Tax altogether or modify its provisions so that it would apply to only very large estates.
