Health Care Law

Cornelius & Collins has a long tradition of providing counsel in healthcare matters, with a strong emphasis on the representation of physicians' interests.

For many years, lawyers at Cornelius & Collins have defended physicians in medical malpractice actions. The firm has a good track record in terms of successful results, and many physicians have requested that their insurance carrier assign their defense to lawyers in the firm.

Most of the medical malpractice defense cases are handled through State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, a mutual company that was started by physicians in response to the medical malpractice insurance crisis in the 1970s. Cornelius & Collins was instrumental in the formation of this company.

Cornelius & Collins has served as counsel to the Tennessee Medical Association and the Nashville Academy of Medicine for more than forty years. David Steed now serves outside counsel to the TMA and NAM.

The firm has successfully represented the TMA in many litigation matters. The firm has been involved in class actions filed on behalf of TMA members, including a lawsuit filed to stop Access MedPlus from retroactive recoupments that were occurring in late 2001. We are also involved in a major class action, on behalf of TMA members who have been victims of unfair insurance claims payment practices, such as bundling, downcoding, and other wrongful claim denials. We have filed actions relating to efforts by podiatrists and dentists to expand their scope of practice in violation of state law.

The firm has special expertise in handling disputes between physicians and third-party payors. On many occasions, the firm has collected monies owing to physicians from third-party payors in complex billing and coding disputes. Other matters handled by the firm include licensure issues, medical staff issues, and contract drafting and negotiations for physicians in a group practice setting.

The firm's healthcare practice is not limited to physician issues. The firm has frequently represented other healthcare professionals in matters before the licensing board of the various professions. The firm has also represented various healthcare institutions and entities in litigated matters.

The firm also offers representation for healthcare professionals in non-healthcare related matters. These include personal injury actions, both as plaintiff and defendant, contractual and business disputes, and property damage matters. The firm also handles wills and estate planning matters for professionals.