Suzanne T. Hall

Suzanne T. Hall is a partner and senior trial attorney in Plunkett Cooney’s Medical Liability Practice Group. She has been involved in healthcare defense since joining the firm in 1980.

Ms. Hall’s clients include hospitals, clinics and physicians in all specialty areas, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists and physician assistants. A very active litigator, Ms. Hall has compiled an impressive trial record. She is also available to serve as a medical liability arbitrator.

Ms. Hall received her law degree cum laude from the University of Detroit, where she served as associate editor of the Journal of Urban Law. She then spent one year with the Michigan Court of Appeals as clerk for the Honorable Michael Kelly prior to joining Plunkett Cooney.

Representative Client Work

• More than 60 cases tried to successful conclusion, representing the following specialty area practioners, as well as hospitals and clinics: anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, general surgeons, plastic surgeons, cardiologists, internists, nephrologists, urologists, certified nurse anesthetists, obstetricians/gynecologists, radiologists, psychiatrists, emergency medicine practioners and psychiatrists
• Successfully defended to a “no cause for action” verdict a wrongful death case claiming an internist failed to appreciate possible cardiac symptoms and refer to a cardiologist
• Received a “no cause for action” verdict on behalf of a psychiatrist who allegedly failed to warn of a patient’s homicidal and suicidal tendencies and failed to obtain involuntary psychiatric admission, resulting in the patient killing several people
• Received a “no cause for action” verdict on behalf of a urologist who diagnosed renal cancer and removed the patient’s kidney, only to find that the pre-operative diagnostic studies were incorrect
• Successfully defended to a “no cause” verdict three obstetricians in a group practice against alleged failure to timely perform cesarean section in the face of bleeding
• Received a “no cause for action” verdict for orthopedic surgeon who allegedly performed an improper knee surgery, resulting in worsening of symptoms.
• Received a “no cause for action” verdict on behalf of a psychologist whose patient committed suicide

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan (Negligence and Health Law sections)
• Michigan Society of Hospital Attorneys
• American Bar Association (Health Law Forum)
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• American Health Lawyers Association

Publications and Lectures

• “Michigan Medical Malpractice Legislation -- Prognosis: Curable Defects,” University of Detroit Journal of Urban Law (1978)
• Henry Ford Health System – Mock Trial
• Detroit Medical Center – Mock Trial
• Meadowbrook Insurance Company – Mock Trial
• “Office Practice Liability Issues” – Risk Management – Detroit Medical Center
• “Nursing Home Liability Issues, ” Seminar
• “Attorney/Client Privilege, ” Speaker – Oakwood Hospital
• “Closed Case Reviews,” Speaker – Oakwood Hospital
• “Closed Case Reviews,” Speaker – APAssurance Company
• “Managed Care Litigation: Are you at Risk?”
• “Anatomy of a Lawsuit,” Speaker – Kresge Eye Institute
• “Role of the Patient Advocate,” Speaker – Michigan Society of Hospital Risk Managers
• Associate editor, University of Detroit Journal of Urban Law, 1978-79
• “Michigan Medical Malpractice Legislation – Prognosis: Curable Defects”      –University of Detroit Journal of Urban Law (1978)
• Lectures to various professional organizations on medical malpractice and trial techniques

Publications

• Court Says Surfing Web Sites Not Enough to Verify Expertise of Defendant Doctors
• Croskey Re-Visited-Restrictions to Ex Parte Meetings Reduced
• Expert Who Signs Affidavit of Merit Need Not be Qualified to Testify Regarding Proximate Cause