MEDICAL DEVICE, MASS TORT AND PHARMACEUTICAL LITIGATION
For virtually a decade, O’Brien & Ryan, LLP served as liaison counsel between Pennsylvania plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the national silicone breast implant litigation and the courts. We were one of the most active firms in the Pennsylvania consolidated breast implant litigation, working for the defense of plastic surgeons involved in those mass tort lawsuits. We represented healthcare provider defendants in over two hundred cases. Of those cases, we successfully tried to verdict two breast implant cases, including the first in the state.
Additionally, attorneys of the firm have served as counsel for physicians in the pedicle screw litigation and pharmaceutical litigation cases including Fen-Phen, Rezulin, Baycol, Celexa and Vioxx. In these capacities, we have accumulated experience not only in medical device and pharmaceutical litigation, but in the particulars of mass tort litigation. Our firm has worked with the courts to develop systems for becoming proficient in case management and discovery including obtaining, organizing and utilizing massive numbers of manufacturer documents and manufacturer employee depositions produced through the course of consolidated and multi-district litigation, in both hard copy and electronic form.
Contact:
Marshall L. Schwartz
(610) 834-6294
(610) 834-1749 Fax
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O'Brien & Ryan News
Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital in Pressure Wound Matter
Marshall L. Schwartz and Caitlin E. McCauley recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a hospital in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The matter involved a patient who developed a pressure wound during an admission to the intensive...
Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital in Case involving Fall at Physical Therapy after Hip Replacement
Anthony P. DeMichele recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a hospital in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The matter involved a patient who fell while undergoing physical therapy two days after a right total hip replacement. As a result of the...
Defense Verdict for OB/GYN in case involving Wound Infection after Caesarean
Tracie A. Vizza and paralegal Lexi Romney recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The matter involved a patient who had undergone a caesarean section and presented to the...
Defense Verdict on Behalf of Philadelphia Hospital in Wound Care Matter
Marshall L. Schwartz and Lisa J. Peters recently obtained a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case on behalf of a hospital following a four-day jury trial in Philadelphia County.In December of 2013, the plaintiff was transferred to the critical care unit of...
Defense Verdict on Behalf of Internal Medicine Physician and Infectious Disease Physician
Marshall L. Schwartz and Brett M. Littman obtained a defense verdict on behalf of an internal medicine physician, an infectious disease physician, and a hospital following an eight-day jury trial involving allegations that the physicians failed to appropriately treat...
PA Supreme Court Holds Peer Review Privilege Does Not Extend to Physician Practice Groups
In an opinion authored by Justice Christine Donohue, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently restricted the application of the Peer Review Protection Act (PRPA). On March 27, 2018, the Court declined to extend the privilege to reviews conducted by an employee of a...
Medical Expert Witnesses May Testify Outside the Scope of Their Specialty
In an opinion authored by Senior Judge William H. Platt, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania recently addressed whether expert witnesses, specifically medical experts, can testify to matters that are not directly within their specialty. In James v. Albert Einstein...
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Addresses Juror Bias
In an opinion authored by Justice David N. Wecht, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently addressed whether certain jurors should have been presumed prejudiced and dismissed based on their indirect relationship with the defendant’s employer, who was not a party to...
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Holds Informed Consent Is Obtained Only through Information Directly from Physicians
In an opinion authored by Justice David N. Wecht, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently held that physicians cannot rely on their staff or subordinates to disclose the information required to obtain informed consent from a patient; the information must come...
UPDATE – Disputes Over Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements Flourish in Pennsylvania
The state Supreme Court recently held that arbitration agreements that include a clause specifically designating the National Arbitration Forum as sole arbitrator are invalid. In Wert v. Manorcare of Carlisle PA, LLC,[1] Evonne Wert, on behalf of the...
9 Attorneys Selected to 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Each year, on a state-by-state basis, Super Lawyers selects attorneys using peer nominations and evaluations along with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, and those selected represent the top five percent of the total lawyers in each state.
In Memoriam – John F. O’Brien, III
In Memoriam – John F. O’Brien, III
We remember and honor our cherished partner and friend, John F. O’Brien, III, who recently passed away after a long illness.
John will remain forever in our hearts.
O’Brien & Ryan, LLP Announce New Partners
O’Brien & Ryan, LLP is pleased to announce our new partners: Brett M. Littman, Mary Kay Plyter-Eigner and Steven F. Reilly!
Paul Peel to Participate on CLE Panel
On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, Paul Peel will participate on the panel for Appeals for Trial Lawyers, a CLE that will provide an overview of key elements of appellate practice that are a must-know for trial attorneys. Offering their perspectives as judge, appellate practitioner and trial attorney, the panelists will provide key information regarding preservation and waiver issues, and tips for appellate advocacy, among other topics.
O’Brien & Ryan, LLP is celebrating 35 years!
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