Where automated decisions went wrong

Mazaheri v Law Society of Ontario (Law Society Tribunal (ON)): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Adverse Costs Order

AI generated fabricated legal citations in a court filing by Shahryar Mazaheri.

1 source article · read the reporting →

In re Rosslyn2016, LLC, et al. (S.D. Texas (Bankruptcy)): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, CLE on generative AI; Civil Contempt;…

The AI generated fabricated legal citations that were submitted to the bankruptcy court.

1 source article · read the reporting →

UnitedHealth used ALERT algorithm to limit mental health coverage, regulators found

ProPublica reports that UnitedHealth Group's Optum subsidiary used the ALERT algorithm to flag mental health patients and therapists as outliers, leading to therapy coverage denials. Regulators in California, Massachusetts and New York alleged this breached the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and UnitedHealth agreed to restrict the system in those jurisdictions. The company denies wrongdoing and says its programmes are compliant. Affected patients, including Medicaid enrollees, were left to pay out-of-pocket or go without care.

Company involved

UnitedHealth Group

AI system involved

ALERT

5 source articles · read the reporting →

Quinteros v. Harbor Distributing, LLC (CA California (1d)): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanction; Bar referral

AI generated hallucinated legal citations that were filed in court, misleading the court and opposing counsel.

Company involved

Lipeles Law Group

1 source article · read the reporting →

JMOR Properties v. Artist Alley Townhomes et al. (CA Florida (4d)): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Bar Referral

The AI generated fabricated legal citations that were included in a court filing, affecting the court and the opposing party.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Beus Gilbert PLLC v. Brigham Young University et al. (D. Utah): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Two AI-ethics CLE courses;…

The AI system generated fake legal citations that were included in a court filing, misleading the court and opposing counsel.

1 source article · read the reporting →

In re BFI Waste Sys. of Tenn. (M.D. Tennessee): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Public reprimand; Monetary sanction

The AI generated false legal quotations that were submitted to the court in a legal brief.

Company involved

Ringger

1 source article · read the reporting →

Jessica Fuller v. Hyde School, et al. (D. Maine): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, CLE; Firm procedures and certification; Serve…

The AI generated fictitious legal citations that were submitted to the court in a legal filing.

AI system involved

ChatGPT or Claude

1 source article · read the reporting →

Reaves Law Firm, PLLC v. Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, et al. (W.D. Tennessee): AI-hallucinated content in court…

The AI generated fictitious legal authorities and arguments that were filed in a court motion, misleading the court and opposing counsel.

Company involved

Reaves Law Firm, PLLC

1 source article · read the reporting →

Southland Homes & Real Estate and Investment, LLC v. Lam (SC California): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanctions; Bar…

The AI system generated legal briefs containing fabricated case citations, which were filed in court, affecting the court and the opposing party.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Joyce Barber v. Lawrence J. Morawa, MD (CA Michigan): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Case remanded to consider sanctions; Bar…

AI-generated fake legal citations were submitted to the court, affecting the plaintiff's appeal and the defendant's legal costs.

1 source article · read the reporting →

ООО «Точка опоры» v. ООО «ЦСС» (West Siberian District AC): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Fine

The AI system generated fake legal citations that were submitted to the court, resulting in a fine for contempt.

Company involved

ООО «ЦСС»

1 source article · read the reporting →

EviCore denied heart catheterization for patient using algorithm

In fall 2021, Little John Cupp's doctor requested a left heart catheterization exam. EviCore, a company hired by UnitedHealthcare, denied the request twice using an algorithm called 'the dial' that adjusts thresholds for review. The algorithm flagged the request for review, and EviCore's doctors determined it was not medically necessary. Cupp did not receive the procedure and his symptoms continued.

Company involved

EviCore (a Cigna company)

AI system involved

the dial

6 source articles · read the reporting →

Humana sued for using AI to deny seniors rehabilitation care

Health insurer Humana is accused in a class-action lawsuit of using an AI algorithm to systematically deny rehabilitation care to Medicare Advantage patients, despite recommendations from their doctors. The lawsuit, filed on December 12, 2023, alleges that the AI tool restricted medically necessary care. This is the second major health insurer to face legal action over its use of AI to deny care.

Company involved

Humana

9 source articles · read the reporting →

Judge rules lawsuit over UnitedHealth’s AI care denials can move forward - STAT

The system denied necessary medical care to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Company involved

UnitedHealth Group

1 source article · read the reporting →

Amazon faces class action over allegedly rigged buying algorithms

Two consumers filed a proposed class action against Amazon in Washington federal court, alleging that the company rigged its algorithms to boost sales of its own retail business and third-party sellers using its fulfillment service. The plaintiffs claim that hundreds of millions of customers have overpaid for items as a result. The lawsuit is pending.

Company involved

Amazon.com Inc.

AI system involved

Amazon's buying features

6 source articles · read the reporting →

EvenUp AI errors in personal injury demand letters lead to scrutiny

EvenUp, a legal tech startup valued at $1 billion, uses AI to draft personal injury demand letters. Former employees revealed that the AI system frequently makes errors, including missing injuries and fabricating medical conditions. The company defends its hybrid approach with human oversight, but critics allege overpromised AI capabilities.

Company involved

EvenUp

6 source articles · read the reporting →

Black man alleges racial bias in kidney transplant algorithm

An African American man has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the algorithm used to determine kidney transplant priority is racially biased. The plaintiff, a Los Angeles barber, claims the algorithm puts Black patients lower on the waitlist, denying them timely access to organs. He seeks damages and a higher position on the list.

7 source articles · read the reporting →

UNOS liver allocation policy reduces transplants in poorer states

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) implemented a new liver allocation policy in 2020 called the acuity circles system, which prioritizes the sickest patients regardless of location. An analysis by The Markup and The Washington Post found that the policy led to sharp declines in liver transplants in several Southern and Midwestern states and Puerto Rico, while increasing transplants in New York and California. Patients in affected states allege the system disadvantages poorer regions, and hospitals have sued to overturn the policy.

Company involved

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)

AI system involved

Acuity circles liver allocation policy

10 source articles · read the reporting →

Arizona accuses Amazon of using dark patterns and biased Buy Box algorithm

The Arizona Attorney General filed two lawsuits against Amazon on May 15, 2024. One lawsuit alleges that Amazon used deceptive design tricks (dark patterns) to prevent users from canceling Prime subscriptions. The other alleges that Amazon's Buy Box algorithm is biased in favor of Amazon's own products and Fulfillment by Amazon sellers, causing consumers to overpay. Amazon denied the allegations, stating that the lawsuits are based on a misunderstanding.

Company involved

Amazon

AI system involved

Buy Box algorithm

6 source articles · read the reporting →

Utah's online dispute resolution system leads to default judgments against defendants

Utah's online dispute resolution system for small claims cases automatically enters default judgments against defendants who fail to register within 14 days. Samantha Thompson missed the buried notice in her summons and was ordered to pay $995.42 plus wage garnishment. The system has increased default judgment rates, especially for payday lenders. Critics say the confusing paperwork disadvantages low-income litigants.

Company involved

Utah State Courts

AI system involved

Utah Online Dispute Resolution System

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Security Health Plan used AI to cut off nursing home care for 85-year-old woman

Frances Walter, an 85-year-old woman with a shattered shoulder, had her nursing home care payment cut off by Security Health Plan after an algorithm predicted she would recover in 16.6 days. The algorithm, nH Predict from NaviHealth, did not account for her severe pain and allergy to pain medicine. She was forced to spend her life savings and enroll in Medicaid while fighting the denial. A federal judge later ruled the denial was speculative and she was owed thousands of dollars.

Company involved

Security Health Plan

AI system involved

nH Predict

1 source article · read the reporting →

Insurer drops California homeowner after aerial photo analysis

Cindy Picos was dropped by her home insurer after the company used aerial photos to assess her roof. The insurer refused to let her see the photos, and she believes her roof is in fine shape. The incident highlights the growing use of drones and aerial imagery by insurers to inspect properties without in-person visits.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Ninth Circuit Sanctions Attorneys Over AI-Hallucinated Legal Briefs

The Ninth Circuit sanctioned immigration attorneys from Sethi Law Group after they filed briefs containing AI-generated false cases and quotations. The court imposed monetary sanctions, a six-month suspension from Ninth Circuit practice, and referred the matter to the California State Bar. The court also required future filings to disclose AI use and certify that all citations were verified. The case is Lnu v. Blanche.

Company involved

Sethi Law Group

2 source articles · read the reporting →