Richard G. Koefod

Richard G. Koefod joined Plunkett Cooney in 1997 as a member of the Flint office. His practice includes the defense of hospitals and healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. In addition, he has expertise in the areas of premises liability, municipal liability, HIPAA regulatory compliance, and he provides guidance to individuals and organizations seeking information on firearm issues.

Mr. Koefod’s practice includes numerous high profile and high exposure cases involving claims of serious injury, death and property damage, as well as HIPAA regulatory compliance within the healthcare industry. His municipal litigation practice involves cases asserting both state and federal claims involving employment discrimination, prosecutorial misconduct and police brutality.

Representative Client Work

• Obtained a motion for summary disposition on behalf of a family doctor in a wrongful death claim alleging fraud and a failure to diagnose and treat a cardiac condition
• Obtained directed verdict for internist in a wrongful death claim involving failure to diagnose and treat a cardiac condition
• Obtained directed verdict for general practitioner in a wrongful death claim involving failure to diagnose and treat pneumonia
• Obtained summary disposition in a malpractice case against an orthotist/prothetist involving use of am air cast, which allegedly caused gangrene and the loss of the plaintiff’s leg
• Obtained judgment of no cause of action for a hospital in a medication error claim involving loss of the plaintiff’s bladder
• Obtained summary disposition on behalf of a hospital in a medical malpractice/product liability claim involving a blood drawing accident that resulted in exploding blood drawing equipment and related eye injuries
• Obtained summary disposition on behalf of business entity in a slip and fall claim by a patron, who alleged a closed head and orthopedic injuries as a result of the slip and fall
• Obtained summary disposition for governmental entity in an Elliot-Larsen/1983 claim of race discrimination
• Obtained summary judgment for governmental entity in RICO and 1983 claims
• Provided guidance to self-insured private corporation on establishing policies and procedures for HIPAA compliance

Professional Affiliations

• Genesee County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• American Bar Association

Community Involvement

• Easter Seals of Southeastern Michigan (Board of Directors, 2001-Present)
• National Rifle Association

Fraternities

• Phi Alpha Delta

Publications and Lectures

• Numerous presentations to various medical professional associations, groups, and organizations on risk management, medical information confidentiality and HIPAA compliance and related medical/legal issues
• Development of reference booklet on Michigan law regarding medical confidentiality and HIPAA for use with presentations on these issues
• Numerous presentations to individuals and organizations on legal issues related to firearms

Publications

• A Practitioner’s Guide to the Limits HIPAA Places on Ex Parte Interviews of Michigan Medical Care Providers Related Issues Concerning Discovery of Confidential Information
• Medical Records Access Act of 2004

Speaking Engagements

• 2008 - Medical Records Law in Michigan Seminar