Experience

Summary Judgment Affirmed for Health Care Client in IVF Services Dispute

Represented a regional hospital system in a medical malpractice dispute arising from in vitro fertilization services provided to a then-husband and wife. When it was revealed the wife had substituted the husband’s semen sample for that of another man, the husband and the surrogate who carried the baby filed suit in St. Louis County Circuit Court. The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District affirmed an order granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants.

Obtained Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Action

Tried and won a defense verdict in a medical malpractice action alleging permanent leg injury.

Privileged Nature of Patient Safety Organization Materials Confirmed by Federal Court

During representation of an Illinois hospital system in a contentious medical malpractice case, obtained an order from a federal court judge confirming the privileged nature of Patient Safety Organization materials. This order has wide-ranging effects not only in Illinois but in federal and state courts nationwide.

Favorable Settlement in Multimillion-Dollar Wrongful Death Claim

Obtained a favorable settlement in Jackson County, Missouri, in a wrongful death case seeking punitive damages involving allegations of failure to timely treat bowel perforation.

Defense Verdict for Health Care Client

Secured a complete defense verdict for client hospital in an IV infiltration case. The plaintiff claimed that, as a result of a contrast extravasation into her right arm during a CT scan, she developed a blister and loss of muscle strength in the arm as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. The plaintiff claimed the client and its employed radiology technician was negligent in timely turning off the contrast after the plaintiff began yelling in pain. Following the three-day jury trial in St. Louis County Circuit Court, the jury ultimately returned a defense verdict.

Jury Verdict for Doctor in Malpractice Case

Secured a defense verdict for a physician in a medical malpractice suit. The plaintiff, a 33-year-old male, alleged that the defendant doctor injured his superior mesenteric artery during surgery to remove a tumor, which left him with short gut syndrome. He filed suit seeking in excess of $2 million in past economic damages, and up to $850,000 in non-economic damages. Following a one-week jury trial in Jefferson County Circuit Court, the jury found the client was without fault in the matter.

Favorable Outcomes Based on Pre-Suit Analyses, Retention of Experts

Developed pre-suit analyses and retention of appropriate experts, resulting in favorable outcomes for our clients.

Defense Verdict in $3.7 Million Jury Trial

Secured a defense verdict for a St. Louis, Missouri-area medical group following a five-day jury trial. The plaintiff and her attorneys asked for a verdict of $3.7 million following a laparoscopic gynecological surgery. After 82 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a defense verdict.

Defense Verdict for University Client in Medical Malpractice, Negligence Case

Secured a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to return a verdict in excess of $5 million in favor of a brain-damaged minor. The plaintiffs alleged defendant’s failure to appropriately diagnose and treat the minor’s mycoplasma pneumonia, and encephalitis resulted in permanent brain damage. The case was complicated in that the treating pediatric neurologist testified on behalf of the minor plaintiff and adverse to the defendant. Testimony included nine experts in the areas of pediatric neurology, infectious disease, autoimmune disorders, pediatric neuropsychology and pediatrics. After a several-week trial, a St. Louis City jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant.

Defense Verdict in Case Involving Rare Neurological Disorder

Found and retained an expert witness after extensive research to address a rare neurological disorder, resulting in a defense verdict.

Defense Verdict in Heavy Metal Poisoning Case

Found, retained and prepared an expert witness for trial, who addressed heavy metal poisoning in a neonate, resulting in a defense verdict.

Retained Membership for Renowned Surgeon Following Medical Malpractice Case

Helped a renowned surgeon retain his membership in a voluntary professional association that threatened to suspend him for his testimony in a medical malpractice case.

Defense Verdict in Case Involving Loss of Eyesight

Served as co-counsel in a case involving loss of eyesight, resulting in a defense verdict.

Successfully Resolved a Case Involving Serious Neurological Injuries

Assisted in successfully resolving a case involving serious neurological injuries related to a stroke.

Second-Largest 2013 Missouri Defense Verdict

Won the second-largest 2013 defense verdict in Missouri for its representation of a hospital in a medical negligence case. The ranking was reported by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Defense Verdict for Health Care Provider in Medical Malpractice Case

Served as counsel to the defendant in a matter in which the plaintiff sued an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in a case in Virginia (Virginia Beach) that involved the extraction of two wisdom teeth. Plaintiff alleged that defendant (i) failed to appropriately prescribe antibiotics both pre- and post-operatively, (ii) failed to detect the signs of an infection during his treatment, (iii) failed to timely order a CT or MRI scan or make an infectious disease referral to rule out an infection, and (iv) inappropriately administered a local steroid injection into a potential area of infection. Plaintiff was subsequently diagnosed with deep soft tissue cellulitis that later developed into necrotizing fasciitis. Plaintiff was admitted to a hospital for one month during which time approximately 15 surgical incisions and drainages were performed to debride the necrotizing fasciitis. Plaintiff had over 40 emergency department visits over the next three years allegedly due to defendant’s negligence. Plaintiff’s counsel requested $2 million in his closing argument. No settlement offer was ever made by the defense. After a five-day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

$17 Million Defense Verdict for Hospital Client in Suit Brought by Neurosurgeon

Defended a hospital client in a suit against a neurosurgeon who allegedly slipped and fell leaving the operating room in the hospital where he worked. The suit alleged that right-shoulder injuries from the fall ended his career. The last pre-trial demand sought $17 million in damages. After four days of trial, a defense verdict was returned in favor of our client. The win was ranked the no. 1 defense verdict in the state of Missouri in 2010 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.