Matthew has extensive experience in medical practice defense, having represented doctors, physician groups, hospitals and regional health centers for over a decade. He is a shareholder in the firm's Health Care Department and concentrates his practice in medical malpractice, general liability (slip/fall) and auto defense work.
Matthew has handled hundreds of medical malpractice matters, both as an attorney and an adjuster, including the management of claims in the Philadelphia area. He has represented a number of physicians, medical groups and health care institutions in health care liability matters and provided advice and guidance in quality assurance, personnel, privacy and health care records issues. He has successfully transferred cases to more conservative venues in medical malpractice actions based on forum non conveniens (inconvenient forum.)
In one of the cases he handled, Matthew successfully argued that the treating physicians' financial interests and earnings from litigation testimony should be presented for the jury's consideration. In another case, through coordination of a gynecologic oncologist and a pathologist, Matthew facilitated a causation defense theory not entertained by prior counsel, which helped bring about a settlement for less than $250,000 where demand was once over $1 million. In another case, after retaining a surgical specialist who had developed the procedure at issue as an expert, plaintiffs' counsel discontinued the action.
Matthew received his bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and his juris doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a claims attorney with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Medical Professional Liability Catastrophe Loss Fund, managing several hundred Philadelphia-area medical malpractice cases.
Matthew lectures extensively, both locally and nationally, on issues pertaining to medical malpractice through educational institutions including the National Constitution Center, Lorman Education Services, Stafford Legal Teleconferences and Progressive Business Publications. He is recognized nationally for his expertise in electronic medical record issues. He has spoken for numerous organizations including the American Society for Health Risk Management, American College of Obstetrician/Gynecologists, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, The Commonwealth Medical College, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania MCARE Fund, CPACHRM of Central Pennsylvania, Center for Health Training, NOR-PANPHA and the Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association, Cassatt Health System and PMSLIC/NORCAL, and for publications including National Health Law Week, Hospital Litigation Reporter and New York Health Law Update. Matthew also advises medical institutions on the establishment of policies and procedures regarding responses to electronic discovery.
Matthew is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, and the Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.
Matthew is a coach for the Abington youth soccer, basketball, and baseball leagues.
Significant Representative Matters
· Successfully argued that based on the clear reading of the Pennsylvania Certificate of Merit Rules, where a plaintiff bases his malpractice claim against a medical institution on vicarious liability grounds, i.e., allegations that other licensed professionals for whom the defendant is responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard, additional Certificates of Merit consistent with Pa.R.C.P 1042.3(a)(1) must be filed as to the other licensed professionals for whom the defendant is responsible, whether specifically named or unnamed in the complaint or caption of the complaint.
Published Works
· "Reducing Medical Malpractice E-Discovery Issues and Costs," The Legal Intelligencer, February 14, 2012
· "A View From The Trenches: Discovery Issues With Electronic Medical Records," Risk Rx, Special Edition on the Electronic Health Record, University of Florida, Vol. 8, No. 1 January-March, 2011; and Florida Hospital Association's Risk Review, August 23, 2011
· "Civil Litigation Update of the Pennsylvania Bar Association," co-contributor/author
Classes/Seminars Taught
· OMG?!-The Impact of Social Media on the Tripartite Relationship, Moderator/Co-Presenter, Claim & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 27, 2012
· Morgan v. Community Medical Center Healthcare System, moderator for roundtable regarding the discovery of incident reports, Central PA Association for Health Care Risk Management Fall Education Forum, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2011
· Electronic Medical Records 101: What Claims Professionals Need to Know, co-presenter, Council on Litigation Management Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 24, 2011
· E-Discovery Update, panelist/speaker, Pennsylvania Defense Institute Annual Conference, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pennsylvania, September 30, 2010
· Ethical Issues Pertaining to the Insurance Relationship, moderator, PDI Regional CLE, Mohegan Sun Casino, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, August 27, 2009
· Find It Fast & Free On The Net: Strategies For Legal Research On The Web, National Business Institute CLE, Scranton, Pennsylvania, April 17, 2009
· Ethical Issues Pertaining to the Tripartite Relationship, moderator, PDI Regional Continuing Legal Education Conference, Scranton, Pennsylvania, August 21, 2008
· Medical Malpractice: Reduce Risks and Improve Outcomes, Progressive Business Publications National Teleconference, June 25, 2008
· Faculty, Lorman Education Services, Progressive Business Publications, National Constitution Center
Associations & Memberships
· Central PA Association for Health Care Risk Management, President, 2012
· Lackawanna County Bar Association
· PBA Health Care Law Committee, Secretary, 2010-Present
· PBA Healthcare Law Subcommittee on Civil Litigation, Chairman, 2011
· Pennsylvania Bar Association, Health Care Law Committee Member
· Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Board of Directors, 2007-2009
· Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Secretary, 2009-2011
· Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Treasurer, 2011-Present
Honors & Awards
· BV® Distinguished™ Rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
· Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
Year Joined Organization: 2005
Publications
A View From the Trenches: Discovery Issues with Electronic Medical Records
Articles · January 1, 2011
Risk Rx, University of Florida, Vol. 8, No. 1, January-March 2011