The recently concluded inquest into the tragic death of Vanessa Ford, professionally known as Heap, has shed light on the extreme pressure of her professional life. A coroner’s inquest, delivered on Monday, concluded that Ford’s untimely death in September 2023 occurred following an acute mental health crisis, exacerbated by her intense workload. Ford, at the…
The tragic death of Vanessa Heap, a partner at Pinsent Masons, has been reported as the result of an “acute mental health crisis” following a coroner’s inquest. Heap, who also went by Vanessa Ford, was much respected within the legal community and her untimely departure has stirred dialogue pertaining to mental health within the profession….
In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has set a new legal precedent, determining that Georgia cannot retry a defendant who was previously found not guilty of malice murder by reason of insanity. Read more about the ruling. The ruling challenges a common legal grey area surrounding the inability to retry a defendant once…
In a recent decision, a Virginia federal judge supported the claim of a cybersecurity attorney seeking long-term disability benefits following his heart surgery. The attorney’s doctors advised him to quit his job due to high stress levels that could potentially exacerbate health issues. The presiding judge’s decision revolved around the fact that the insurance company…
As the business landscape evolves at an ever-accelerated speed leaders, especially in the legal industry, are encouraged to adapt a fresh approach to strategic planning. These new considerations notably highlight the importance of dynamic, agile planning, resilience and transparency. Traditional, long-term plans no longer hold up to today’s unpredictably changing environment. Instead, focus on agile…
In a recent unanimous decision, the US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Georgia man on a double jeopardy claim. The defendant in question, Damian McElrath, had previously been acquitted on one charge by reason of insanity in a murder case. Despite conflicting verdicts on other charges, the court has determined that Georgia…
This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) took crucial steps to better access to opioid use disorder treatment. As part of this effort, a final rule was implemented that includes a provision for the initiation of treatment via telehealth. However, the…
Health insurance giant Aetna is confronting a lawsuit under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) following a denial of coverage for inpatient mental health treatment of a minor, a recent report in Law.com revealed. ERISA is a federal law designed to protect individuals in health plans sponsored by private employers. Aetna has been named…
Montana’s lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been incorporated into a federal litigation claiming that social media platforms are ‘unsafe and addictive’ for young users. The suit alleges that social media platforms are designed to exploit consumers, particularly children and teenagers, by manipulating their psychological vulnerabilities to increase usage, sponsorship, and profit…
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has urged the UK government to halt the impending extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US. Edwards implores the government to carefully evaluate Assange’s appeal, citing severe concerns that his extradition may expose him to treatment that could amount to torture. The Special Rapporteur has…
Historically, behavioral healthcare has been overshadowed by physical health in terms of both clinical resources and insurance coverage. Today, however, behavioral healthcare is receiving long-overdue national attention, due to a combination of social and political forces. There have been several significant developments just in the past month that suggest a rising recognition of the need…
In a precedent-setting ruling, a Michigan jury held Jennifer Crumbley liable for the deaths inflicted by her son Ethan at Oxford High School in November 2021. The jury convicted Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter, asserting that a parent who neglects clear signals of their child’s mental illness and provides them with a firearm is criminally responsible…
California lawmakers announced new bipartisan legislation on Tuesday, termed Senate Bill (SB) 1012, aimming to permit the use of psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. The proposed bill, otherwise referred to as the “Regulated Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Act,” would authorize professionals to administer the consumption of psychedelic mushrooms by individuals over the age of 21. As reported…
An upcoming proposal from the Biden administration, expected to be finalized later in 2024, has prompted concern among employer advocates and insurance companies who believe it could increase costs and reduce the quality of employer-sponsored mental health coverage. This anticipated decision, which is geared towards prohibiting health plans from implementing coverage restrictions on mental health…
In recent developments, Colorado has initiated an extended competency court specifically assigned for defendants obtaining restoration services prior to trial. With plans to capitalize on community-based services, the initiative aims to reduce delays in competency restoration processes proceeding case progression, says Judge Russell Klein who has been entrusted to preside over the docket. The enhancement…
A significant development in the legal landscape comes as LifeStance Health Group Inc., a mental health services provider, has agreed to a $50 million settlement to conclude a lawsuit, in which it was alleged that the company misled investors over its clinician retention rate. The litigation against LifeStance was initiated in August 2022, after the…
As reported by Lisa Jarvis for Bloomberg Health Law and Business, a 2020 survey performed by the non-profit Colorectal Cancer Alliance has revealed a substantial concern amongst early-onset cancer patients regarding financial stress and future monetary issues. The conversation has generally revolved around the physical and mental health implications of a cancer diagnosis. Yet, with…
The Human Rights Commissioner of British Columbia, Kasari Govender, has announced that an inquiry into the use of police force against minorities and people with mental health issues will be conducted. This decision roots from a 2021 Canadian report titled “Equity is Safer: Human rights considerations for policing reform in British Columbia.” The aforementioned report…
In a recent social media trend reminiscent of 2013’s infamous ‘thigh gap’ obsession, a wave of young TikTok users, dubbed the ‘Sephora generation,’ have been promoting a harmful beauty standard known as ‘legging legs.’ This trend essentially enforces the toxic idea that only thin legs ‘look good’ in leggings and further perpetuates unrealistic and harmful…
In a unique employee-centric approach observed lately within the legal profession worldwide, a UK-based law firm has unveiled a scheme that allows its employees to take a reasonable time off work – the ‘Switch On/Switch Off’ program. Employees opting for the program can avail reduced pay in exchange for the flexibility of schedule it offers….
In recent years, a significant trend has been observed within prosecutorial departments across the globe. Prosecutors, often considered the bedrock within the realms of jurisprudence, have been leaving their positions at an unsettling frequency. This emerging phenomenon, though seemingly confined to prosecutorial circles, has ripple effects that extend far beyond. It forms a Springboard for…
In a profession often marked by the expectation of availability and on-demand service, mental health within the legal industry has become a noted concern. Many legal professionals, particularly those working as outside counsel, are trained to respond to the needs of their corporate clients swiftly; a demand that can contribute to heightened stress and mental…
Having bidden farewell to a rather demanding 2023, the New Year is seen as an opportunity to turn a leaf and breathe fresh air into our habits. From family time to binge-watching favorite shows, the end of the year provided a much-needed rest. Nonetheless, as January draws to a close, it’s time to kick-start a…
Efforts are underway in more than 20 US states to enact legislation this year to create a standardized, multi-state license for social workers. The intention is to address shortages in the behavioral health workforce and minimize the gaps in mental health care access nationwide. The initiative, known as the Social Work Licensure Compact, has garnered…
Over recent years, widespread concern has been addressed regarding the escalating rates of mental health issues within the legal profession. This worry was initiated by a significant study conducted in 2016, which detailed these concerns in a comprehensive manner. Since then, state bars and supreme courts have been prompted to step up, taking measures to…