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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
Chapter 3 — Claim Evaluation
Chapter 4 — Duty
Chapter 5 — Expert Testimony
II. Expert Testimony in Medical Negligence Cases — Requirements and Admissibility
III. Foundation and Bases of 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
III. [8.3] Proving Damages
IV. Recoverable Damages That Are Separately Compensable
V. Recoverable Damages That Are Not Separately Compensable
VI. Non-Compensable Damages
VII. Damages-Reducing Factors
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. [10.20] Written and Oral Discovery — Supreme Court Rules 213 and 214
IV. Documentary and Tangible Evidence
V. Demonstrative Evidence
VI. Physical and/or Mental Examinations — Supreme Court Rule 215
VII. Medical Studies Statute
VIII. The Petrillo Doctrine and the Hospital Licensing Act
IX. Standard Interrogatories Under Supreme Court Rule 213(j) — Medical Malpractice
Chapter 11 — Expert Discovery
Chapter 12 — Trial
II. In Limine Matters
III. Frye/Daubert
IV. Developing a Theme
V. [12.17] Jury Selection
VI. [12.33] Opening Statements
VII. Direct Examination
VIII. Cross-Examination
IX. Demonstrative Evidence
X. [12.64] Documentary and Nontestimonial 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
II. [14.2] Healthcare Provider Liens
III. Medicare Liens
IV. ERISA Liens
V. Workers’ Compensation Liens
VI. [14.26] Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Liens
VIII. Miscellaneous
Chapter 15 — Ancillary Concerns
II. [15.2] Guardianship
III. Wrongful Death/Survival
IV. [15.27] Special-Needs Trusts
V. [15.32] Structured Settlements
VI. Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements
VII. [15.43] Minors’ Estates
VIII. [15.47] Divorce and Personal Injury Actions
IX. Bankruptcy
X. 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. [16.10] Settlement Options — Lump-Sum or Structured Settlement
VI. [16.19] Medicare Liens Against Recoveries in Medical Malpractice Cases
Chapter 17 — Satellite Issues Attendant to Medical Malpractice Litigation
II. [17.2] Insurer Bad-Faith Refusal To Settle Within Policy Limits
IV. Federal Reporting Requirements — The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank
V. [17.27] Illinois State Reporting Requirements — The Medical Practice Act of 1987
VI. [17.31] 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
VIII. [17.51] Medical Malpractice Legislation
Chapter 18 — Nursing Home Litigation
I. The Nursing Home Care Act
II. Causes of Action Under the Nursing Home Care Act
III. Damages Under the Nursing Home Care Act
VIII. Enforceability of Binding Arbitration Agreements
IX. False Claims Act Liability
X. Cameras in Nursing Homes — the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act
XI. Appendix — Sample Forms
Chapter 19 — Mediation in Medical Malpractice Cases
I. Introduction
II. The Rush University Medical Center Program — 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.
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.
Joseph W. Balesteri is a Partner at Power Rogers, LLP, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases. He has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America (22d ed. 2022), the Top Ten Leading Lawyers for Medical Negligence — Plaintiff, and the 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Consumer Lawyers. Mr. Balesteri received his B.S. from Indiana University and his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law.
Courtney M. Beemer is Of Counsel to Wise Morrissey Kaveny LLC in Chicago, where she concentrates her practice in personal injury and medical malpractice. She is a member of the Chicago and Federal Bar Associations. Ms. Beemer received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
Douglas Belofsky is the owner of Law Offices of Douglas Belofsky, P.C., in Northbrook, where he concentrates his practice in the areas complex commercial litigation, commercial law matters, probate, estate planning, and arbitration. He is a member of the American Health Law Association, the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys, and the Greater Shore Estate and Financial Planning Council. Mr. Belofsky received his B.A. from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law, where he was honored as a member of the Order of the Coif.
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.
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.
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.
Cole D. Garrett is Deputy General Counsel for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in Chicago. Mr. Garrett received his J.D. at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
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.
Jeffrey R. Hanes is an associate at Barker & Castro, LLC, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense. He has been recognized by Illinois Rising Stars (Super Lawyers) and is a member of the Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS). Hanes received his BS from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and his JD cum laude from the Northern Illinois University College of Law.
Mark D. Hansen is a Shareholder at Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., in Peoria, where he concentrates on commercial litigation, professional liability, and other areas of civil litigation. He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Litigation Counsel of America, and the Society of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Hansen received his B.S. cum laude from Northern Illinois University and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.
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.
Michael J. Hennig is a Partner at Cassiday Schade LLP in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense and is Cochair of the Medical Malpractice Department. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating. He has been selected as a Leading Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in the area of Medical Malpractice Defense. Mr. Hennig received his J.D. with high distinction from The John Marshall Law School, where he received the Order of John Marshall and was a member of The John Marshall Law Review.
Monica J. Henning is an associate at Smith Blake Hill LLC in Chicago, where she concentrates her practice in medical malpractice defense. She is a member of the Chicago, American, and Illinois State Bar Associations. Ms. Henning received her B.A. with distinction from McGill University and a dual J.D. cum laude from Michigan State University and the University of Ottawa.
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.
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.
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.
Terrance M. Nofsinger is a Partner at McNabola & Associates, LLC, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Illinois Bar Association. Mr. Nofsinger received his B.F.A. from Bradley University and his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law.
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.
Zachary R. Pancoast is a Partner at Crompton Pancoast Law in St. Louis, Missouri, where he focuses his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury, medical malpractice, and mass torts. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. Pancoast received his BA from DePauw University and his JD from the Saint Louis University School of Law.
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.
Emily Perkins is an associate at Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, in Peoria, where she concentrates on employment/labor law, governmental law, Section 1983 civil rights litigation, and medical malpractice. Ms. Perkins was named to the Law Bulletin Publishing Company's list of Illinois Emerging Lawyers (2018) and has won the Winter National Law Review 2014 Writing Competition. She is received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law, her M.B.A. from Bradley University, and her B.S. from Illinois State University.
Matthew A. Reddy is an associate at Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice. He has been selected an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star. Mr. Reddy received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law.
Tyler Robinson is a Partner at Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., in Springfield, where he focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense, long-term care/nursing homes, qui tam (whistleblower), and healthcare. He was named an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2017 and 2018 and an Illinois Emerging Lawyer by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in 2018. He is a member of the Management and Professional Liability Community and Committee Member of the Medical/Healthcare (Medical Malpractice) Group in the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. Mr. Robinson received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
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.
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.
Nancy M. Spain is a Partner at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, in Chicago, and concentrates her practice on estate planning and settlement and trusts. Spain is a Chicago Volunteer Legal Services pro bono legal services volunteer, a charter member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and a member of the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. She received her B.A. from Connecticut College and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School 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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