The Birth Trauma Defense Team at Hall Prangle & Schoonveld,

LLC is comprised of attorneys committed to the defense of

hospitals and healthcare providers in medical malpractice

cases involving allegations of obstetrical, neonatal and

pediatric negligence. HPS attorneys, specifically selected

to address the particular demands of a case, have a keen

understanding of the complexity of issues confronting our

clients in birth trauma cases, as well as an appreciation of the

potential exposure presented by these cases.

Our Birth Trauma Defense Team brings the

experience and insight that comes with

having handled many hundreds of birth

trauma cases, including cases involving

hypoxic ischemic brain injury, maternal,

neonatal and pediatric deaths, intra-

uterine fetal demise, intra-uterine growth

restriction, stillbirth, maternal stroke,

amniotic fluid embolism, postpartum

hemorrhage, uterine rupture, placental

abruption, shoulder dystocia, NICU and

PICU mishaps—and many other issues.

The HPS Birth Trauma Defense Team is

led by Marilee Clausing and David Hall.

Marilee is not only an experienced trial

attorney with many birth trauma verdicts to her credit, but

was also formerly a high-risk obstetrical nurse. David has

tried to verdict more than 100 cases, including birth trauma

and pediatric cases with seven- or eight-figure exposure. The

team’s clinical knowledge is rounded out by our obstetrical

nurse paralegals and legal nurse consultants. Our legal and

clinical proficiency allows us to present our clients with an

early analysis of both the legal and medical issues shortly

after the matter is assigned to us for handling, and in some

instances, only days after the occurrence itself.

Early investigation of an adverse obstetrical, neonatal or

pediatric event can be crucial to successful management

of the risk that such cases present. The HPS Birth Trauma

Defense Team has experience in early and rapid response

to such instances and the investigation

they require. When requested, an attorney

familiar with early response management

techniques can be made available soon

after a catastrophic occurrence has

unfolded. Our experience allows us to

investigate facts, interview key witnesses,

provide counseling, and develop an early

handling strategy in conjunction with the

client.

Oftentimes our clients have a need for

consultation with, or education from, the

HPS Birth Trauma Defense Team, separate

and apart from a particular medical

negligence case. In such instances,

members of the team are available to consult with clients

about medical-legal or risk management issues of concern.

On-site consultations, audits, medical record or policy/

procedure reviews, and recommendations for reduction of

risk or improvement of institutional systems can be provided

Hall Prangle and Schoonveld LLC

Attorneys at Law

H P S

“The HPS Birth Trauma Defense Team brings the experience and

insight that comes with having handled

hundreds of cases involving obstetrical,

neonatal and pediatric issues.”

Birth Trauma Defense Team

by members of the team. If educational programming for staff

or management is needed, the Birth Trauma Defense Team is

available to conduct such presentations or programs.

Effective management of catastrophic birth trauma or

neonatal/pediatric cases requires strong trial counsel. Senior

members of the Birth Trauma Defense Team are able to act

as either primary trial counsel or supervisory/monitoring

counsel in birth trauma and related catastrophic cases. The

Team’s experience in the courtroom is impressive to say the

least. The two most senior members of the Team, David Hall

and Marilee Clausing, have each been recognized with Jury

Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards for Career

Achievement because of their efforts in defending birth

trauma and other catastrophic injury cases.

Despite its trial expertise, the team certainly understands that

sometimes a client’s interests are better served by settlement of

their case, rather than trial. In such circumstances, the strength

of the trial attorney can be a significant factor in achieving

the best settlement. Furthermore, the experience and skill

of team members in mediation and settlement conferences

allow for effective resolution, thereby limiting risk, exposure

and expense.

The Birth Trauma Defense Team attorneys have the necessary

resources to defend birth trauma cases on all levels, including

liability, causation and damages. We pool our resources into

a central database. Our expert database contains information

on most of the expert witnesses used on cases by plaintiffs and

defendants alike. The attorneys on the team have relationships

with and access to nationally and internationally renowned

experts. Our data base helps us select the consultants best

suited to a particular matter. It likewise affords us the necessary

resources to effectively cross-examine plaintiffs’ experts

at deposition and trial. The expert database includes prior

transcripts of deposition and trial testimony, as well as literature

and other information. This compendium of information has

proven invaluable to our defense of birth trauma cases.

Our medical literature database keeps team members

knowledgeable about the historical and current medical

literature, standards of practice and the professional

publications that impact the defense of birth trauma cases.

We have an extensive database of ACOG publications,

bulletins, and updates. The ease with which these materials

can be marshaled by team members is a valuable resource for

our clients.

An open-door atmosphere and regular team meetings

encourage professional discourse among members of the team,

keeping everyone up-to-date on trends and developments in

the field, current literature, opposing counsel, and experts’

credentials, publications and testimony.

HPS is committed to providing efficient and cost-effective

representation to our clients while maintaining the highest

standards of excellence. Each of our attorneys is focused on

our clients’ needs. We strive to keep our clients up-to-date

on the course of each matter assigned. This commitment and

client-centered focus accompanies each case the Birth Trauma

Defense Team handles, from assignment through resolution.

Hall Prangle and Schoonveld LLC

Attorneys at Law

H P S

Birth Trauma Defense Team

The attorneys that make up the HPS Birth Trauma Defense Team bring the experience

and insight that comes with having handled hundreds of cases involving obstetrical,

neonatal and pediatric issues. The clinical expertise of the obstetrical nurses on our

team allows for early and in-depth analysis of fetal monitor strips and key clinical events

that are central to birth trauma cases. When circumstances require it, team members

can be mobilized to provide rapid response and early investigation of catastrophic

birth trauma and related events, often within hours or days of the occurrence.

Michele C. Anderson

Marilee Clausing

David C. Hall

Amy H. Kane

Jacqueline B. Sharuzi

Jennifer Ries-Buntain

Michael E. Prangle

Benjamin E. Patterson

Eric P. Schoonveld

Aaron P. Ryan

Bret C. Jessee

Katherine L. Dzik

Charles C. Bletsas

Sabina Babel

Birth Trauma Defense Team

Birth Trauma Defense TeamBirth Trauma Defense Team

Hall Prangle and Schoonveld LLC

Attorneys at Law

H P S