Swanson, Martin & Bell Attorneys Obtain Defense Verdict in High-Stakes Medical Negligence Case

Swanson, Martin & Bell, attorneys Timothy G. Nickels, Marie K. Lynch and Katherine R. Fahrenbach obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, an anesthesiologist, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

The case was initially filed in 2018, wherein the plaintiff alleged that multiple defendants’ negligence in intraoperative care was the cause of profound injuries to plaintiff, including quadriparesis and acute kidney injury.

At trial, Nickels and Fahrenbach skillfully highlighted their client’s reasonable anesthetic management and treatment of plaintiff, including through an in-depth analysis of the relevant medical records.

Plaintiff asked the jury for in excess of $6.6 million. After less than three hours of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict for the firm’s client. The case was tried before Judge Robert Senechalle, Jr.

Timothy G. Nickels is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, and is on the firm’s Executive Committee. Tim’s practice focuses on the defense of physicians and other healthcare providers in medical negligence cases. He also represents other professionals in administrative and disciplinary proceedings before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Learn more about his practice here.

Marie K. Lynch is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office and is a member of the Medical Negligence and Healthcare and Product Liability Practice Groups. She represents hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers in the defense of medical malpractice actions. Additionally, she represents clients in other general tort litigation. Learn more about her practice here.

Katherine R. Fahrenbach is an associate at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago. She concentrates her practice in civil litigation and is a member of the firm’s Medical Negligence and Healthcare practice and group and focuses her practice on the representation of hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice lawsuits. Additionally, she represents clients in other general tort work. Learn more about her practice here.

About Swanson, Martin & Bell

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP was founded in 1992 by a group of trial lawyers who left a large Chicago firm to better serve the needs of their clients. The firm is dedicated to resolving contested matters—by trial, if necessary. Jury trial experience is the hallmark of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, a nationally recognized litigation firm. Lawyers with the firm have tried hundreds of cases to verdict in a wide variety of commercial, equitable and casualty disputes. Many large corporations and prestigious institutions retain Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in jurisdictions across the United States.