Mark Zolfaghari concentrates his practice in tort litigation, especially in the healthcare industry. He is a member of Blank Rome's Life Sciences Industry Team, as well as the Chemical Industry Team.
Mr. Zolfaghari has significant trial experience, having spent over a decade defending physicians, physician groups, and large hospital groups in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Zolfaghari was a research chemist at DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company.
Representative Matters
Since 1998, Mr. Zolfaghari serves as lead trial counsel throughout Pennsylvania in various major jury trial for physicians, their groups and hospitals, including:
· Defense verdict in Philadelphia County for two attending physicians involved in the delivery of a severely brain damaged infant. Jury found hospital liable for $10.8 million in damages.
· Defense verdict in Philadelphia County for physician involved in treatment with anticoagulants resulting in neurological injury and paralysis of right arm. Co-defendant physician found liable for $8.1 million in damages.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for hospital and resident physician alleged to have caused severe cerebral palsy in an infant during delivery.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for defendant hospital alleged to have failed to timely intubate a patient resulting in an anoxic brain injury.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for several physicians and hospital defendants alleged to have failed to timely diagnose and treat cauda equina syndrome.
· Defense verdict in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for anesthesiologist alleged to have caused blindness in patient during extensive spinal surgery.
· Defense verdict in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for orthopedic surgeon, following knee surgery resulting in drop foot.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for physician, physician assistant and practice group alleged to have caused the death of a 17-year-old woman following brain surgery.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for neurologist involved in treatment of patient who died from complications of a stroke. Jury found hospital liable for $1.25 million in damages.
· Defense verdict in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, for two gastroenterologists and their corporation alleged to have delayed in diagnosing mesenteric ischemia, resulting in patient's death.
· Defense verdict in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, for otolaryngologist alleged to have failed to diagnose throat cancer, resulting in the death of the patient.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for surgeon alleged to have delayed in diagnosis of breast cancer.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for primary care physician alleged to have delayed in the diagnosis of testicular cancer.
· Defense verdict in Philadelphia County for otolaryngologist following thyroid surgery resulting in "whisper voice."
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for primary care physician alleged to have delayed in diagnosis of melanoma.
· Defense verdict in Lehigh County for obstetrician alleged to have delayed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy resulting in rupture and severe blood loss.
Community Service & Affiliations
He serves as the Vice President of the French Creek Golf Club.
Memberships
Lehigh County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Philadelphia Bar Association
Cases and Deals
SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF VERDICT FOR ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
[Case]
Spring 2011
Mark R. Zolfaghari and Shira K. Roemer
Blank Rome secures a defense verdict on behalf of St. Luke's Hospital insureds.
FAVORABLE DEFENSE VERDICT FOR ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
[Case]
Spring 2011
Mark R. Zolfaghari and Brett D. Buick
Blank Rome represented Dr. Diana Wallace and her employer St. Luke's Hospital, in securing a successful defense verdict in a case in which the plaintiff was seeking a range of damages from $15 to $50 million.
DEFENSE VERDICT FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL AND AFFILIATES
[Case]
June 2010
Mark R. Zolfaghari, Brett D. Buick and Arthur W. Hankin
Blank Rome secured a unanimous defense verdict in favor of our client, St. Luke's Hospital and two of its network physicians, in a multi-million dollar claim.
SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
[Case]
December 2009
Mark R. Zolfaghari and Arthur W. Hankin
Successful defense of St. Luke's Hospital against a claim involving an untimely diagnosis.
DEFENSE VERDICT FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
[Case]
September 2008
Mark R. Zolfaghari and Dina L. Relles
The jury verdict found no negligence for St. Luke's Hospital in a medical malpractice suit alleging that a pulmonologist failed to intubate a patient in a proper and timely manner.
DEFENSE VICTORY FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL AND AFFILIATES
[Case]
August 2008
Mark R. Zolfaghari and Dina L. Relles
Blank Rome successfully defended a general surgeon, his group practice, and St. Luke's Hospital in a medical malpractice suit, alleging a delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
DOUBLE DEFENSE VICTORY FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL
[Case]
November 2007
Arthur W. Hankin and Mark R. Zolfaghari
In an unusual medical malpractice suit-involving two different plaintiffs in the same case-a mediator recommended settlement; but the hospital proceeded with a two-and-a-half-week jury trial, gaining a complete defense verdict.