Overview

Experienced trial lawyer with more than two decades of extensive first chair trial, complex litigation, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, multidistrict and mass tort litigation; proven record as counsel for domestic and international companies and insurers; Extensive medical knowledge and background with experience defending spoliation of evidence and punitive damage claims; Successful negotiation of multi million dollar settlements on behalf of excess, primary insurers and self-insureds.

Experience

Bouffard v. Battles, Portage County Common Pleas Court Outcome: defense verdict

Allegation: failure to diagnose and treat an underlying cardiac condition in 43-year old male with surviving wife and three minor children resulted in death following urgent care visit. Defended against Plaintiffs negligence, spoliation of evidence and punitive-damage claims.

Comella v. St. Paul

Represented insurer with $10 million dollar excess policy in liability case following automobile crash with legally intoxicated driver resulting in Plaintiffs complete quadriplegia, with no residual cerebral deficits.

Ortho Evra Multi District Litigation

Allegation: birth control patch caused blood clots, pulmonary emboli, heart attacks, strokes, and death of users. Trial Accountabilities: Selected defense federal MDL trial list of cases from hundreds of pending filings. Directed discovery and case workup in bellwether cases selected by parties for trial, including depositions of Plaintiffs, fact witnesses, and treating physicians. Retained case-specific experts and assisted with drafting of expert reports and deposition preparation; prepared mediation briefs for blocks of cases targeted for settlement.

Publications

  • Bouffard v. Robinson Memorial Hospital, (2003), Portage App. 2002-P-0004, Lexis 6515
  • Hampton v. Saint Michaels Hospital, (2003), Cuyahoga App. 81009, Lexis 1743
  •  Liedtke v.Carrington, (2001), 145 Ohio App. 3d 396
  • Avondet v. Blankstein, (1997), 118 Ohio App. 3d 357

  • Davis v. Immediate Medical Services, (1997), 80 Ohio St. 3d 10   
  •  Kamenar v. RadiologyAssociates, (1997), Summit app. 17957, Lexis 1618
  • Nakoff v. Fairview General Hospital, (1997), 118 Ohio App. 3d 786 Wean v. Fader, (1997), Mahoning App. 95 CA 257

  • Cherovsky v. St. Lukes Medical Center, (1996), Cuyahoga App. 70032, Lexis 3190

  • Nakoff v. Fairview General Hospital, (1996), 75 Ohio St. 3d 254

  • Humble v. Dobson, (1996), Champaign App. 95-CA-12, Lexis 4774 Ruggeri v. Katz, (1996), 116 Ohio App. 3d 112

  • Waller v. Aggarwal, (1996), 116 Ohio App. 3 d 355

  • Yeazel v. Brown, (1996), Montgomery App. 15347, Lexis 574

  • Baird v. Kunzelman, (1995), Montgomery App. 14606, Lexis 460

  • Calvey v. Fairview General Hospital, (1995), Cuyahoga App. 67417, Lexis 2612

  • Dallas v. Stern, (1995), Cuyahoga App. 67830, Lexis 1845

  • Cherovsky v. St. Lukes Hospital, (1995), Cuyahoga App. 68326, Lexis 5530

  • Griffin v. Sloan, (1995), Lucas App. L-94-159, Lexis 2654

  • Laura v. Adler, (1995), 105 Ohio App. 3d 634

  • Rotbart v. Sating, (1995), Cuyahoga App. 67530, Lexis 1727

  • Walker v. St. Vincent Charity Hospital, (1995), Cuyahoga App. 67035, Lexis 1431

  • Eddy v. Fiegenschuh, (1995), Stark App. No. 1994 CA 263, Lexis 1501

  • Marino v. Scolnick, Cuyahoga App. 67495, Lexis 1582 (1995)

Presentations

Federal Multidistrict Litigation and State Coordinated Proceedings: an Overview, Tucker Ellis Presentation, 2012.

Philadelphia Complex Litigation Center; a Firsthand Account, Tucker Ellis Presentation, 2010.

How to Conduct a Meaningful ‘Voir Dire,’ Tucker Ellis Presentation, 2008.

Medical Malpractice in Ohio, an Update & Analysis, Gallagher, Sharp, Fulton & Norman Annual Legal Seminar, 2001.

Developments in Medical Malpractice, Gallagher, Sharp, Fulton & Norman Annual Legal Seminar, 1999.

Professional Affiliations

  • Defense Research Institute
  • Ohio State Bar Association

Community Involvement

Catholic Charities Volunteer Activities 2015-present

Personal Interests

Outdoor Activities

Running

Biking

Gardening

Watching all Sports especially College Football

All types of Live Music

Practice Areas
Education
  • Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
    • Juris Doctor - 1990
    • Major: Law
    • Honor: Cum Laude
  • John Carroll University
    • Bachelor of Science Biology - 1987
    • Major: Biology
Bar Admission
  • Ohio
Court Admission
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
  • U.S District Court Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
Clerkships

Honorable John T. Patton Ohio Court of Appeals Eighth Appellate District (1990-1993)

Honors and Awards

Cleveland Marshall College of Law with Honors

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