v2.4.1.9
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements  
Note 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Matters

 

Providing pharmacy services entails an inherent risk of medical and professional malpractice liability. From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, lawsuits, and disputes with third parties, actions involving allegations of discrimination or breach of contract actions incidental to the normal operations of the business.  The Company may be named as a defendant in such lawsuits and become subject to the attendant risk of substantial damage awards. The Company believes it possesses adequate professional and medical malpractice liability insurance coverage. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be sued, that any such lawsuit will not exceed our insurance coverage, or that it will be able to maintain such coverage at acceptable costs and on favorable terms.

 

On March 18, 2011, a lawsuit was filed by Tim Chandler, Jodi Marshall, Christie Garner, the Estate of Thomas Pike, Jr., and Angie Hernandez in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County against Payette Clinics, P.C., Scott Pecora, Kelly Bell, Penny Steers and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Assured Pharmacies Northwest, Inc. and Assured Pharmacy Gresham, Inc. The lawsuit arose from allegations that nurse practitioners at Payette Clinics, P.C. prescribed the five plaintiffs controlled substances in amounts that were excessive under the appropriate medical standard of care.  Only one of the plaintiffs, Tim Chandler, brought claims against our subsidiaries.  Mr. Chandler’s claims against our subsidiaries were for negligence on the basis of allegations that our subsidiaries knew or had reason to know that the prescriptions fell below the standard of care applicable to the prescription of such controlled substances but nonetheless filled the prescriptions.  The plaintiffs, as a whole, submitted a prayer for $7,500,000 in damages.  Mr. Chandler only seeks “an amount to be proven at trial” for noneconomic damages and unnecessary expenses.  Management believes that the allegations against our subsidiaries are without merit and plans to vigorously defend this claim.  We have $2,000,000 in insurance coverage for claims relating to pharmacy negligence.  This lawsuit has been stayed as a result of a co-defendant in this lawsuit (Payette Clinics, P.C.) having filed for bankruptcy.  The bankruptcy has since been discharged and the automatic stay lifted.  The case recently came out of abatement and is set for a two-week trial beginning March 16, 2015.  The Company has denied any liability and is vigorously defending against this action.

 

On August 23, 2013, AQR Opportunistic Premium Offshore Fund, LP and CNH Diversified Opportunities Master Account, LP filed a lawsuit against Assured Pharmacy in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Plaintiffs submitted a Motion for Summary Judgment in Lieu of Complaint against defendants to recover money allegedly owed by Assured Pharmacy, Inc. under two 16% Convertible Debentures totaling $300,000 issued in and around 2011 in a private placement. On September 19, 2013, Assured removed the action to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. All scheduled briefing regarding Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment in Lieu of Complaint was fully submitted to the Court as of October 18, 2013, and the parties are currently awaiting a decision and Order. Assured plans to vigorously defend against Plaintiffs’ claims. On March 4, 2015, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and General Release whereby the Company agreed to pay the debenture holders a total of $413,000 on or before May 1, 2015.

 

  

On December 16, 2013 a lawsuit was filed by Ann Raffaele, in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County against Assured Pharmacy, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Assured Pharmacies Northwest, Inc. and Assured Pharmacy Gresham, Inc. The lawsuit arises from allegations of medical negligence by Dr. Edward Goering, D.O. and Assured Pharmacy.  The plaintiff submitted a prayer for $1,500,000 in damages.  Management believes that the allegations against the Company are without merit and plans to vigorously defend against this claim.  We have $2,000,000 in insurance coverage for claims relating to pharmacy negligence.  

 

On February 19, 2014, a lawsuit was filed by JS Barkats PLLC, in the Supreme Court of The State of New York, County of New York against Assured Pharmacy, Inc. and Robert DelVecchio, our Chief Executive Officer.  The lawsuit arises from allegations of failing to remit legal fees due under written retainer agreements of $134,300 and failing to deliver 500,000 freely traded shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to one of the retainer agreements. Defendants filed a Verified Answer on March 21, 2014. On June 19, 2014, the parties entered into a Preliminary Conference Order setting the timing and sequence of discovery in the action. On March 5, 2015, Defendant Assured Pharmacy filed a chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division. On March 3, 2015, Defendants filed a Suggestion of Bankruptcy and Notice of Automatic Stay as against Defendant Assured Pharmacy. A Compliance Conference has been scheduled for April 9, 2015.   Subsequent to the filing of bankruptcy, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company filed a claim for indemnification with the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division for any and all personal liability pursuant to the articles of incorporation and the bylaws.  Upon filing, the remaining matter was removed from New York State Supreme Court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on April 30, 2015.  The matter was them moved from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on May 5, 2015.  Management believes that the allegations against the Company are without merit and plans to vigorously defend against this claim.