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List of Forms by Chapter
Chapter 1 — Initial Client Contact
II. [1.2] Preinterview Considerations for Plaintiff
IV. Client Contact
VI. Medical Records
VIII. [1.22] Obtaining an Expert — Plaintiff’s Perspective
X. [1.26] Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Statutory Requirements
XIII. Appendix
Chapter 2 — Medical Records: Tangible Evidence and Bills
II. Statutory Basis for Creating, Maintaining, and Obtaining Medical Records
III. [2.11] Content and Organizational Structure of Medical Records
IV. Use of Medical Records at Trial
V. Appendix
Chapter 3 — Claim Evaluation
Chapter 4 — Duty
Chapter 5 — Expert Testimony
Chapter 6 — Breach
V. Negligence Theories of Liability
VI. Battery
X. [6.23] Negligent Spoliation of Evidence
XII. [6.29] Pleading Concerns
XIII. [6.36] Respondents in Discovery
Chapter 7 — Proximate Cause
II. [7.2] Actual Cause or Cause in Fact and Legal Cause
III. Expert Testimony To Establish Probability
VIII. Jury Instruction Issues Concerning Proximate Cause
Chapter 8 — Damages in Medical Malpractice
II. [8.2] Establishing and Proving Recoverable Damages
III. [8.23] Damage-Reducing Factors
IV. Special Considerations
V. Practice Suggestions and Insights
Chapter 9 — Defenses
I. [9.1] Lack of Diligence in Serving a Defendant
II. [9.5] The Requirement of a Healthcare Professional’s Report
III. [9.9] The Statute of Limitations
Chapter 10 — Fact Discovery
I. Pre-Suit Discovery
II. [10.3] Scope of Discovery
III. [10.19] Written and Oral Discovery — S.Ct. Rules 213 and 214
IV. Documentary and Tangible Evidence
V. Demonstrative Evidence
VI. Physical and/or Mental Examinations — S.Ct. Rule 215
VII. Medical Studies Statute
VIII. The Petrillo Doctrine and the Hospital Licensing Act
IX. Standard Interrogatories Under S.Ct. Rule 213(j) — Medical Malpractice
Chapter 11 — Expert Discovery
II. Independent and Controlled Expert Witnesses
VI. Admission of Expert Opinion Testimony in Medical Malpractice Cases; Application of Frye v. United States
VII. Appendix — Sample Forms
Chapter 12 — Trial
II. In Limine Matters
III. Frye/Daubert Generally
IV. Developing a Theme
V. [12.16] Jury Selection
VI. [12.31] Opening Statements
VII. Direct Examination
VIII. Cross-Examination
IX. Demonstrative Evidence
X. [12.60] Documentary and Non-Testimonial Evidence
XI. Closing Arguments
XII. Damages
XIII. Jury Issues
XV. Appendix — Motions, Jury Instructions, and Closings
Chapter 13 — Preserving the Record, Posttrial Motions, and Appeals
I. Making a Record
II. [13.13] Posttrial Motions
III. [13.26] Notice of Appeal
VI. Special Appeal Issues in Medical Negligence Cases
Chapter 14 — Liens
Chapter 15 — Ancillary Concerns
II. [15.2] Guardianship
III. Wills and Trusts
IV. [15.31] Structured Settlements
V. [15.36] Minors’ Estates
VI. [15.40] Divorce and Personal Injury Actions
VII. Bankruptcy
VIII. Appendix — Sample Forms
Chapter 16 — Legal and Financial Planning Considerations in Anticipation of a Large Financial Settlement
II. Financial Planning Process
III. Financial Plan
IV. [16.9] Settlement Options — Lump-Sum or Structured Settlement
VI. [16.18a] Medicare Liens Against Recoveries in Medical Malpractice Cases
Chapter 17 — The Provider’s Personal Counsel: Issues and Considerations Attendant to Medical Malpractice Litigation
II. [17.2] Insurer Bad-Faith Refusal To Settle Within Policy Limits
IV. Federal Reporting Requirements — The Heath Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank
V. [17.28] Illinois State Reporting Requirements — The Medical Practice Act of 1987
VI. [17.32] Actions Against Expert Witnesses for Frivolous or Negligent Testimony
VII. [17.44] Disclosure of Medical Records Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
VIII. [17.50] Medical Malpractice Legislation
Chapter 18 — Nursing Home Negligence
I. The Nursing Home Care Act
II. [18.3] Responsible Parties Under the NHCA
III. Causes of Action Under the NHCA
VII. [18.11] Pretrial Documentation
VIII. [18.21] Conclusion
Chapter 19 — Mediation in Medical Malpractice Cases
I. Introduction
II. The Rush Model — A Model for Mediation
III. The Mediation Process
Chapter 20 — Reporting Requirements in SettlementsIan R. Alexander is the Managing Partner at Goldberg & Goldberg in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in the representation of plaintiffs in medical malpractice. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Alexander received his BA from the University of Illinois and his JD from Tulane Law School.
No bio available.
Gary P. Annes is a Founder and Partner with Abels & Annes, P.C., in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in personal injury and medical malpractice. He has frequently written and spoken on issues related to medical malpractice and litigation in general. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), the Public Justice Foundation, the State Bar of Arizona, and the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations. Mr. Annes is licensed in Illinois and Arizona and maintains offices in both Chicago and Phoenix. Mr. Annes received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Christian D. Biswell is a Shareholder and President of Drake, Narup & Mead, P.C., in Springfield, where he concentrates in the areas of civil litigation, insurance and medical malpractice defense, contracts, civil rights, and subrogation. Mr. Biswell received his B.A., M.A., and J.D. from Southern Illinois University.
No bio available.
Amelia S. Buragas is an assistant professor and director of legal studies at Illinois State University. She received her BS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, her MA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and her JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Roger R. Clayton is a Shareholder of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., in Peoria, where he focuses his practice on healthcare. He is Past President of the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys, Past President of the Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management, and the author of the healthcare column in the Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly. Mr. Clayton received his B.A. from Bradley University and his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
Richard H. Donohue is a Partner at Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in the defense of professional liability cases and in mediation and arbitration. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers and is a member of the Defense Research Institute. Mr. Donohue received his A.B. cum laude from Dartmouth College and his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law.
David V. Dorris is President of Dorris Law Firm, P.C., in Bloomington, where he concentrates his practice in plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. Mr. Dorris is Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and has previously served on the Illinois State Bar Association Committee on Continuing Legal Education, the Committee on Bar Publications, and the Committee on Judicial Appointments, among others, and he also served on the IICLE® Board of Directors. He is a member of the Illinois State and McLean County Bar Associations. He received his B.A. from Blackburn College and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Geoffrey L. Gifford is a Partner and Founder of Pavalon & Gifford in Chicago. His practice is focused on medical negligence, products liability, and general negligence cases. He is Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association; a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the International Society of Barristers; a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation; and a member of the Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois Bar Associations as well as the Federal Trial Bar. He is a former member of the IICLE Board of Directors and is listed in THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. Mr. Gifford received his B.A. from the University of Missouri and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
Jeffrey M. Goldberg is the Founder of Jeffrey M. Goldberg Law Offices in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. He is a member of the American Association for Justice Birth Trauma Litigation Group, a Past Chair of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Medical Malpractice Committee, and a Past President of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. Goldberg received his BS from Bradley University and his JD from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Hugh C. Griffin is Of Counsel to Hall Prangle LLC in Chicago. He is a member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Griffin received his BA from Loyola University Chicago and his JD from Notre Dame Law School.
Keith A. Hebeisen is a Partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in medical negligence. He is a member and Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Hebeisen received his B.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. with honors from the DePaul University College of Law.
Richard J. Hickey is a Managing Partner at Hickey & Associates, LLC, in Chicago, where he concentrates in medical malpractice defense, aviation, and commercial litigation. He is a recipient of the Law Bulletin Media Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Defense Verdict, is President of the Society of Trial Lawyers, has been a Client Counseling Competition Representative at Regional, and has been recognized for Outstanding Excellence in Teaching (1978 – 1979, 1979 – 1980). Hickey received both his BA summa cum laude and JD cum laude from the University of Illinois.
Thomas R. Hill is a Partner at Smith Blake Hill LLC in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on defense of healthcare institutions and providers. He received his J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Richard K. Hunsaker is a Shareholder of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., in St. Louis, where he concentrates his practice in medical malpractice. He is a member of the Illinois Association of Defense Trail Counsel, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Hunsaker received both his BA and his MA from the University of Illinois and his JD from the Washington University School of Law.
Matthew D. Kelly is a Shareholder at Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney in Chicago and concentrates his practice on commercial litigation and product liability. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association. Mr. Kelly earned his BA from Michigan State University and his JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Michael C. Kominiarek, a member of the Chicago firm of Kominiarek Bresler Harvick & Gudmundson, LLC, concentrates his practice in civil litigation with a focus on defense of medical malpractice cases for physicians and hospitals. A graduate of Marquette University, he received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. Mr. Kominiarek is licensed in Illinois and Indiana. Mr. Kominiarek is a member of the Illinois State, Indiana State, and Southwest Bar Associations and the Society of Trial Lawyers. He is also a past president of the Southwest Bar Association.
John M. Lagattuta is HR/Labor Relations Director of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in Chicago. Mr. Laguttuta received both his B.S. and J.D. from DePaul University.
Steven B. Levy is an attorney in Naperville, focusing his practice on plaintiff’s medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. He is a past member of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules and Professional Responsibility Committees and has authored Chapter 6 of this handbook since 2006. Levy received his BA from the University of Illinois and his JD from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Edward (Ted) McNabola is a Partner at McNabola & Associates, LLC, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in personal injury. He is a member of the Society of Trial Lawyers, the Board of Governors of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and the Board of Directors of the 100 Club Chicago Charity. He has also taught trial techniques at Northwestern University School of Law. Mr. McNabola received his Master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Francis (Frank) P. Morrissey is the Founder of Morrissey Legal Group, LLC, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice and catastrophic injury. He is a Past President of the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers, a Past President of the Celtic Lawyers Society, and a member of the Board of Managers of Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Morrissey received his BA from College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and his JD from the Loyola University Chicago Schoof of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review.
Robert L. Nora is Managing Partner of Nora & Partners, LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in medical malpractice defense. He has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Leading Lawyers (both 2005 – present) and is a member of the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Nora received his B.A. with honors from Northwestern University and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Robert B. Patterson is President of the Law Offices of Robert B. Patterson in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. He is a member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership), and Lawyers of Distinction. Patterson received his BA with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from Penn State University and his JD cum laude from the Northwestern University School of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Ila S. Rothschild is in private practice in Highland Park, where she focuses her practice on healthcare law and alternative dispute resolution. She is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and American Society for Health Care Risk Management, the Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Ms. Rothschild received her B.A. with honors from the University of Wisconsin, her M.A. from the University of Chicago, and her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Susan J. Schwartz is a Partner at Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., in Chicago, where she is a trial lawyer focusing on medical negligence cases on behalf of patients and their families. She serves on the Advisory Board for Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services and previously served as an officer and on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Bar Foundation and the Board of Governors for Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has served on the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Schwartz received her B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University and her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Allen N. Schwartzis a Partner at Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in medical malpractice and personal injury. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a Fellow of the American Bar Association. Mr. Schwartz received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. with honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Thomas G. Siracusa is a Partner at Power Rogers, LLP, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice in medical negligence and product liability. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Board of Managers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Society of Trial Lawyers. Siracusa received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University and his JD with honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Michael T. Trucco is a Partner at Stamos & Trucco LLP in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in civil litigation defense, professional liability defense, and healthcare law. He is a member of the Society of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has also been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation Defense. Trucco received his BS from Bradley University and his JD from the DePaul University College of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the DePaul Law Review.
Kevin J. Vedrine is a Founding Partner at Cunningham Meyer & Vedrine, P.C., in Warrenville, where he focuses his practice on insurance defense in areas of medical malpractice. He is a member of the Illinois State and DuPage County Bar Associations. Vedrine received his BA from the University of Illinois and his JD from the DePaul University College of Law.
Miles J. Zaremski is the Founding Partner of the Zaremski Law Group in Highland Park, where he concentrates his practice in healthcare, professional medical liability, alternative dispute resolution, and appeals. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Who’s Who in American Law and has been named an Illinois Leading Lawyer and an Illinois Super Lawyer in healthcare. Mr. Zaremski received his B.S. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
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