APRIA HEALTHCARE FINALIZES SETTLEMENT OF WHISTLE BLOWER LAWSUIT.COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 4, 1997--Apria Healthcare Group Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AHG AHG antihemophilic globulin (coagulation factor VIII). AHG abbr. antihemophilic globulin AHG antihemophilic globulin (clotting factor VIII). ) announced today that it has settled all of the claims brought against the company in a civil qui tam QUI TAM, remedies. Who as well. When a statute imposes a penalty, for the doing or not doing an act, and gives that penalty in part to whosoever will sue for the same, and the other part to the commonwealth, or some charitable, literary, or other institution, and makes it recoverable by "whistle blower Whistle Blower An employee who has inside knowledge of illegal activities occurring within his or her organization and reports these to the public. Notes: Although whistle blowers are protected under federal law from employer retaliation, there have been cases where " lawsuit filed in July, 1995. Today's news follows a similar announcement last December of an agreement in principle to resolve the claims. Under the terms of the settlement, Apria admitted no liability of any sort and agreed to pay $1.65 million to the U.S. government. In return, both the government, which had intervened to litigate some of the claims, and the original plaintiff agreed to a complete dismissal of the lawsuit. During the course of the civil investigation, Apria provided the government with copies of numerous contracts similar to the ones that were the subject of the settlement. In connection with the settlement, the government has informed Apria that it has no present intent to investigate any of those other contracts. Apria Healthcare provides and/or manages comprehensive integrated homecare services, including home infusion, respiratory therapy respiratory therapy Medical profession concerned with assisting the respiratory function of individuals who have severe lung disorders. Practices include suctioning to clear secretions from the airway, use of aerosol mists (sometimes medicated) or gases to ease breathing, , home medical equipment, nursing and coordinated care through more than 350 locations serving patients in 50 states. Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., Apria is among the nation's largest home healthcare providers. CONTACT: Sheree L. Aronson Director of Investor Relations 714/427-4919 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion