Healthcare

Lewis Brisbois represents healthcare providers, including hospitals, physicians, nurses, technicians, therapists, mental healthcare counselors, pharmacists, dentists, podiatrists, clinics, convalescent homes, and other industry representatives in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings. The firm also handles medical malpractice actions in numerous areas, including obstetrics, emergency medicine, surgery, cardiology, general practice, pulmonary medicine, nursing, orthopedics, neurology, oncology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, genetics testing, radiology, dentistry and podiatry.

We also regularly appear on behalf of healthcare providers before the Medical Board of California on licensing and disciplinary matters.

Litigation

Lewis Brisbois is a premier defense firm in the healthcare and medical malpractice field. Our healthcare practice offers more than 200 attorneys, making us one of the largest healthcare practices in the country. We have experienced and well-respected trial attorneys, many of whom are members and have served as officers in such organizations as The American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers and American Inns of Court.

Our litigators include healthcare practitioners who bring a special understanding of their colleagues’ circumstances when confronted with malpractice and licensing litigation. Our litigation team includes

  • multiple pharmacists,
  • a therapist in diverse mental health settings,
  • a nuclear medicine technologist,
  • nurses,
  • law school faculty members,
  • medical school instructors, and
  • writers and lecturers in a wide variety of medical issues.


Administrative Hearings

We regularly represent healthcare providers in administrative law hearings regarding licensing issues. Representative clients include Longs Drug Stores, Raley’s, Thrifty and Payless Drug Stores, Sierra Pharmacy and numerous physicians and mental health counselors.

COVID-19-Related Matters

As healthcare providers and long term care clients continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19, our lawyers stand ready to advise on the practical and legal implications of the outbreak. We offer counsel regarding the application of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are leading the national conversation with our law and motion and appellate strategy to secure this governmental immunity for our clients.

In addition, our attorneys regularly provide clients with current information on changes at the federal and state level that impact healthcare facilities, including convalescent and skilled nursing care facilities, acute care hospitals, free standing clinics, and surgery centers, as well as the healthcare professionals who work in these settings, including medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, dentists, psychologists, therapists, physician assistants, and nurses. We also assist clients with managing new admissions, visitation by family and others, employee-related issues, and all other aspects of healthcare and long-term care.

Mental Healthcare

Our lawyers defend numerous mental healthcare providers in cases of sexual misconduct, recovered memory and dual relationships. While the need for behavioral health services continues to grow, we help our clients protect their businesses and professionals while maintaining compliance with mental health laws, rules, and regulations.

Hospital Liability

Our team also represents health care facilities, including acute care hospitals, convalescent and skilled nursing care facilities, free-standing clinics and surgery centers. Our experience encompasses a wide range of issues, including care/nursing assessment, chain of command, emergency department care, intensive and critical care units, operating room, labor and delivery informed consent, slip and fall and other general personal injury liability, premise liability and security and safety issues, staff privileging issues (Elam), and Medical Staff Bylaws, transfer of patients to other facilities (the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act “EMLATA” and relevant state law) and medical records matters.

Contamination

Our lawyers have defended the Regents of the University of San Diego and the County of Los Angeles in AIDS/blood bank contamination matters. We have successfully advised facilities in cases involving Alpha Fetaprotein, Hepatitis and venereal disease testing.

Laboratory Testing

We have assisted numerous medical laboratories in failure to diagnose, inadequate testing and genetic testing cases. These cases involve erroneous reports of sexually transmitted diseases, misinterpretation of tests, failure to perform genetics testing and drug testing issues.

Chairs

  • Rima Badawiya (Partner) - Rima.Badawiya@lewisbrisbois.com, 909.386.3041
  • Gregory Lynch (Partner) - Greg.Lynch@lewisbrisbois.com, 213.580.7927
  • Malinda Miller (Partner) - Malinda.Miller@lewisbrisbois.com, 973.856.8014
  • Kathleen Walker (Managing Partner) - Kathleen.Walker@lewisbrisbois.com, 213.680.5199

Vice Chairs

  • Nichol Bunn (Managing Partner) - Nichol.Bunn@lewisbrisbois.com, 214.722.7105
  • Josh Davis (Partner) - Josh.Davis@lewisbrisbois.com, 832.460.4628
  • Reuben Jacobson (Partner) - Reuben.Jacobson@lewisbrisbois.com, 415.438.6612
  • Kevin Nicholas (Partner) - Kevin.Nicholas@lewisbrisbois.com, 602.385.1033
  • Matthew Pascale (Partner) - Matthew.Pascale@lewisbrisbois.com, 213.680.5159
  • Jennifer Oetter (Managing Partner) - Jennifer.Oetter@lewisbrisbois.com, 971.712.2809