Attorney Profile
T. Kevin FitzPatrick
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
An experienced litigator, Kevin has focused his practice exclusively on the defense of health care professionals and institutions since 1984. From 2012 through 2022, Kevin served as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. During this time he was also the Director of the Health Care Department and played an active role in not only substantially increasing the number of attorneys in the Department, but also in expanding its geographical footprint.
Kevin provides defense representation in health care liability matters involving large exposure and complex cases. These cases involve the defense of physicians, hospitals, dentists, therapists, mental health professionals and other health care providers. Other areas of his practice have been devoted to significant general liability matters, including premises liability and casualty litigation.
Kevin estimates that since 1984 he has handled more than 500 health care liability matters. He has taken numerous cases to verdict, the majority of them resulting in defense awards. He has also had a significant number of cases taken to trial that resulted in client dismissals by stipulation or motion. In addition, Kevin has been involved with numerous ADR proceedings, including binding arbitrations, with successful results.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Scranton in 1981, Kevin obtained his juris doctor from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1984. While in law school, Kevin was selected to serve on the moot court board. Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey in 1993, Kevin was a partner with a Philadelphia law firm, where he practiced for nine years.
Kevin has been awarded an AV® Preeminent™ rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Throughout his career, he has been active in the preparation of articles in his field of concentration and he has given numerous presentations to clients, including hospitals and insurance carriers, regarding the defense of health care liability cases and medical/legal related matters.
Results
Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a hospital client following a trial involving the death of an elderly patient who criticized emergency medicine care and internal medicine care regarding anticoagulation medications and inappropriate discharge. (2020)
Obtained a defense verdict in a trial involving allegations that a hospital client failed to reconcile a home Benzodiapine medication which led to a grand mal seizure, multiple spinal compression fractures, chronic pain and lifelong care needs. (2016)
Obtained a defense verdict for a hospital client in a trial which alleged nursing negligence that resulted in a femur fracture and subsequent complications for a post hip replacement surgery patient. (2014)
Obtained a defense verdict for a hospital client against alleged failure to diagnose renal failure which resulted in the death of a man following knee surgery. (2012)
Obtained a defense verdict in a trial involving a severe shoulder dystocia birth injury case and defense of the treating obstetrician. (2008)
Obtained a defense verdict in a trial involving the death of an elderly patient following the administration of a narcotic medication by an emergency physician. (2006)
Obtained a defense verdict in a trial involving a urologist and failure to diagnose testicular cancer resulting in the death of a 49-year-old man. (2000)
Thought Leadership
The Pitfalls of Pressure Ulcer Litigation, Marshall Dennehey Health Care and Health Law Seminar, November 9, 2017
Case Evaluations and Jury Verdicts in Medical Professionals Liability Cases and Defending the Mental Health Case, Allied World Assurance Company, October 2011
Updates on the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (MCARE), MCARE Fund & Fair Share Act, OneBeacon Insurance Group, Connecticut, October 2011
Current Legal Trends, Update on Tort Reform In Pennsylvania, Potential Civil Implications Arising From the New Medicare Requirements Under the Deficit Reduction Act Of 2005, University of Scranton, Bi-annual Medical Alumni Symposium, March 2009
"Back to the Future: A Lot at Stake for Both Sides in Venue Rule Change," The Legal Intelligencer, Medical Malpractice Supplement, April 9, 2019
"Will History Repeat Itself? Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Considers Rescission of Pivotal Medical Malpractice Venue Rule That Helped Resolve the State's Earlier Medical Malpractice Crisis," MDAdvisor, Winter 2019
"Psychiatric Records Can Be Subject To Discovery In Pennsylvania," Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 4, December 2010
"Disgruntled Lasik Surgery Plaintiff Not Precluded from Expressing Non-Defamatory Comments On Website," Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 3, September 2007
"New Trial Awarded Because of Improper Contact with Treating Physician," Defense Digest, Vol. 5, No. 5, 1999
"Informed Consent Not Limited To Physician Information," Defense Digest, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1999
"Current Status of Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings," (co-author), Defense Digest, Vol. 4, No. 5, 1998
"HMO's ERISA Shield Pierced By Superior Court," Defense Digest, Vol. 2, No. 6, June 1996
"HMOs are Denied Peer Review Protection," Defense Digest, Vol. 1, No. 8, August 1995