We are presently seeking former or current patients of Katherine Ballard MD and her medical practice, The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass. According to the practice’s website, Dr. Ballard and the other physicians that work there operate one of the largest pain management clinics in Kentucky (and the nation) and the largest in the Lexington area.
Recent press reports indicate that Kentucky has one of the highest opioid addiction rates in the United States.
Cincinnati’s Courier Journal reported in 2014 that the state loses 1000 residents a year to drug overdoses. Probably without coincidence, Kentucky ranks 8th in the nation for high prescribers of these dangerous drugs.
Not all opioids are street drugs such as heroin. Many opioid abusers get their high from prescription drugs. Drugs such as oxycontin and fentanyl. In fact, fentanyl is more dangerous and potent than heroin.
There is a huge debate nationally as to the responsibility of pharmaceutical makers and so called pain management doctors for the burgeoning addiction rates. We believe that some physicians put profits before patients. Unfortunately, when it comes to highly addictive and dangerous narcotics, the results can become deadly.
As noted below, prescriptions for narcotics have grown exponentially yet the nation is no more in physical pain today than it was a decade ago. That doctors are dispensing more prescriptions without an increase in pain is disturbing.
While many of these prescriptions are legitimate, we believe that some doctors are simply writing scrips in order to make money. Unfortunately, with drug overdoses being one of the leading causes of death, these doctors may essentially be committing murder.
Pain Treatment Cent of the Bluegrass and Katharine Ballard MD
Our investigation is certainly not an indication that Katherine Ballard and her colleagues at the Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass are doing anything illegal. In the interest of full disclosure, the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure does not note any disciplinary action against her.
Because of the significant public safety concerns and based on media reports, we are interested in speaking with patients or those with inside information about practices within the Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass. All inquiries will be kept in complete confidence.
Specifically, we are interested in any information that indicates that Dr. Ballard or others in the practice are overprescribing narcotic pain killers; are violating state, federal, DEA or CMS guidelines on prescribing opioid drugs; or are improperly charging Medicare / Medicaid for services.
In addition to Katherine Ballard MD, other physicians at The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass include Steven Ganzel D.O., Laura Hummel, M.D., Lauren Larson M.D., Christopher Lyon M.D., John Ma M.D., Dennis Northrip M.D., Rick Pellant D.O., Traci Westerfield M.D., Ballard Wright M.D. and Peter Wright M.D.
We have been told that several nurse practitioners and physician assistants also see patients and may be prescribing narcotic pain killers.
Pill Popping – a National Epidemic: Prescription Pain Medications
Abusing prescription pain medications has become a national epidemic. Those aren’t our words, they come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS says drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths have reached “epidemic” levels in the United States.
Almost 2/3rds of overdose deaths are from opioid drugs. (The late musician Prince reportedly died from an overdose of fentanyl.)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that “prescription opioid overdose is now the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States, killing more people than heroin and cocaine combined.”
Even more disturbing is that rate of addiction and overdosing is getting worse!
From 2000 to 2015 over 500,000 people died from drug overdoses. In fact, 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.
HHS says, “We now know that overdoses from prescription opioids are a driving factor in the 15-year increase in opioid overdose deaths. Since 1999, the amount of prescription opioids sold in the U.S. nearly quadrupled, yet there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report. Deaths from prescription opioids—drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone—have more than quadrupled since 1999.”
Last year, the president of the American Medical Association issued a call to action and told physicians that they must act to stop opioid overprescription. We agree.
MahanyLaw – National Medicare Fraud Whistleblower and Class Action Law Firm
The lawyers at MahanyLaw work diligently to protect the public. Our whistleblower clients have received over $100 million in awards. Currently we are assessing the viability of bringing class action lawsuits against those physicians that over prescribe or improperly prescribe narcotic pain killers.
If you have inside information, we certainly wish to speak with you. Are you a patient addicted to drugs or recovering from an addiction? We want to hear your stories too. If you are aware of doctors overprescribing opioids, please call us. You may save a life.
For more information, please call attorney Tim Granitz at *protected email* or by phone (414) 258-2375. All calls protected by the attorney – client privilege and kept confidential.
*Please note our investigation is not limited to Katherine Ballard and other Kentucky pain management doctors. We are also investigating similar claims in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and will examine any claims of overprescribing anywhere in the United States.
More on Narcotic Overdose Lawsuits
Complications Linked to Prescription Painkillers
Properly prescribed and labeled, opioid painkillers play an important role in treating patients with severe pain. Because they ae so potent, when not properly prescribed or when patients are treated longer than necessary, problems often occur. Severe problems such as overdosing, addiction and debilitating side effects.
Other patients with certain medical problems such as pulmonary problems (breathing), cardiac health issues or sleep apnea may also be at increased risk if given narcotic drugs.
Patients Injured by Opioids May Qualify for a Lawsuit
If you or a loved one have been the victim of an overdose or other serious complications caused by opioid overprescription, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the doctor that prescribed these drugs
We are interested primarily in class action lawsuits. In appropriate cases, however, we may consider an individual case or be able to refer you to someone in your community. Either way, your stories help us help others.
Think you may qualify for an opioid overdose lawsuit? Contact us by email at *protected email* We read new client emails every day, Saturdays included.
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