The Center for COVID Control is facing several lawsuits that allege they have knowingly falsified COVID test records and reporting information. Here, we’ll cover the latest information on these cases and how Farah & Farah holds manufacturers of defective products accountable for their negligence. With something as serious as COVID testing, the impact of the manufacturer’s negligence can very well mean life and death.
FBI Investigating COVID Test Center for Fraud & Faulty Tests
The FBI is spearheading the investigation into the Center for COVID Control who operates pop-up COVID test sites across the country, including in Florida and Georgia. This nationwide test center is one of the highest-profile cases of COVID-related fraud to date. Unfortunately, many other instances are being reported the longer our society deals with the global pandemic.
The investigation ramped up after several lawsuits and various allegations have been leveled against the company for issuing faulty COVID test results and fraudulent billings to insurance. These lawsuits come on the heels of the FDA recalling some 2.2 million COVID tests from one manufacturer alone for faulty results.Â
Was the Center for COVID Control Aware of Fraudulent Practices?
The Minnesota Attorney General has filed a lawsuit which claims that the Center for COVID Control did know it was issuing false COVID tests. Worse, they may have directed their staff to put fake dates on tests to make them seem more recent. Other instances of fraudulent practices named in the suit include the Center falsely telling patients test results were inconclusive and then charging the full price for a test. Further, the company seems to have knowingly misrepresented which patients had insurance at the time of the test. This would change reports made to Federal Government agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.Â
These allegations started coming to light when patients complained about getting test results before they ever took a test or many others who simply were never given their results. Incorrect testing types, names, dates, and times were also reported.Â
FDA Issues Massive Recalls for Faulty COVID Tests
At the end of 2021, the FDA also upped its enforcement for faulty COVID tests. There were several high-profile instances of Class I recalls, which is the agency’s most serious level. Taking the cake by sheer numbers was the 2.2 million Ellume COVID tests that were recalled. Altogether, the recalled tests showing false results to patients well exceeds 3 million tests.
The many recalls issued by the FDA for COVID tests with seriously erroneous test results include:
- Ellume COVID-19 Home Test
- Innova Medical Group SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test
- LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 Antigen Test (Nasal/Saliva)
- Flowflex COVID Rapid Tests
In each recall notice above, the FDA advises consumers not to use products of certain lot codes. You can search these codes through the FDA. As well, any issues with your testing device can be reported through the MedWatch Voluntary Reporting Form. There are vast repercussions to COVID tests that can’t be relied on. From everyday health for patients and their families, to travel, to employment—so many different areas of our lives rely on accurate test information.Â
We’ve previously reported on the Federal vaccine mandate rules that have left employers scrambling to roll out testing to their employees. False positives here could cause unnecessary shutdowns, disrupt the already-fragile labor force, and could even leave someone without benefits as many employers have decreased the amount of leave time related to COVID.    Â
Defective Product Lawsuits Hold Manufacturers Accountable
So, what happens when manufacturers put profits over what happens to peoples’ lives? That’s where product liability comes in. Product liability is a legal term that says a manufacturer can be held accountable when their product hurts someone or causes them damages. We handle defective product cases every day to protect individuals and their families. Unfortunately, thousands upon thousands of instances of defective products harming people occur each year.Â
A few of the current defective product and class-action lawsuit cases we’re handling include:
- Philips Respironics CPAPs
- Roundup Weed Killer
- Paraquat Herbicide
- Benzene Chemical Exposure
Safety equipment, health products, chemicals, even medications can all lead to serious injuries and deaths for users of a certain product when the manufacturer takes shortcuts or ignores warning signs of unsafe products. Our team makes sure that when someone has been injured by using a product they thought was safe, they have an advocate who won’t stop fighting for everything the law says they are entitled to.Â
Hurt By a Defective Product? Find Out if You Have a Case Now.
Whether it’s a commercial herbicide that failed to warn of the known dangers associated with product-use, or a medical device with a faulty design that caused lasting damage to your health—we handle defective product cases with a team of attorneys who focus on this area of the law. We stay informed on changes in the law and current events so we can always be the resource our clients depend on. Schedule a quick conversation with an attorney now if you’ve been injured while using defective products like Roundup or your Philips CPAP machine. We’ll show you what steps are available to get the compensation you deserve.
