The state attorney general has sued a Lehigh Valley attorney and law firm for using the Filial Responsibility Law to allegedly intimidate family members into paying off their loved ones' medical bills.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane filed for a permanent injunction against James A. Havassy and the Hamilton Law Group, claiming their debt collection practices violated the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act. Along with requesting an injunction, the complaint seeks restitution for victims of the allegedly improper collection practices, as well as civil penalties.

According to the complaint, although the defendants cited the Filial Responsibility Law when attempting to collect debts from family members, that law only applies in situations where public funds have been spent, and does not apply for regular debt collections.