Emily Cousins

"The overall policy of protecting people from dangerous products like the culture media that CooperSurgical put on the market is very, very strong in Connecticut," Tracey Cowan of Clarkson Law Firm said. "We do think the law in general in Connecticut is very disposed to protecting people like our clients."

"I have people call me up to scream at me, and they won't listen to me," attorney Frank C. White Jr. said. "It's a mess. But this is what criminals do. They don't care. ... They've injured other people using my name."

“This is one of those cases that when it first comes in the door, you know it's going to go to trial,” attorney Sean K. McElligott said. “It's going to be a challenge, and those types of cases tend to go the distance."

The plaintiffs allegedly received a call from Kanner & Pintaluga two days after the crash, offering representation and a minimum recovery of $10,000. The law firm did not respond to a request for comment.

"After this election it is more important than ever that patients, medical providers, and the public know the law and their legal rights to access and to provide care that is legally protected in Connecticut," Jonathan Levine, a partner at Silver Golub & Teitell, said.

"It is particularly important that health care providers satisfy these requirements when providing services to a vulnerable patient population, such as residents of an inpatient behavioral health facility," Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department's civil division, said.

"There's legal challenges here," Christine Dunn said. "I am not naive to that fact."

Critics say the scrutiny is warranted because the goals of the two entities might diverge, as private equity firms look to maximize profit, while health care providers seek to get the best results for patients.

"We do want to be part of the plaintiffs bar and help train other attorneys ... because we believe that the more good work that we do and that we help others do helps all of our clients and helps raise the bar," Andrew Ranks said. "Our 'Cruz' verdict has resulted in other great settlements for other attorneys. It's a rising tide for everybody."

The case was filed against American General Life Insurance Co., Lincoln Benefit Life Co., Everlake Life Insurance Co. and Transamerica Life Insurance Co.