Medical Liability and Health Care Litigation

Mirick O’Connell attorneys represent our health care clients in litigation matters.  We represent hospitals, physician practice groups, health care insurers, physicians, nurses and other medical providers in cases involving professional liability, employment disputes, and breach of contract. We have resolved these cases through trial and arbitration, with numerous verdicts and awards in our clients’ favor.  Outside of the courtroom, we represent physicians and other medical professionals before their respective boards of professional licensure.  We provide risk management services for our health care clients, including advice on preparation of forms used for patient care, and on policies and procedures.  We are often called upon to assess liability for pending claims and potential for early resolution.

Practice Chair

Joan O. Vorster

Joan O. Vorster
Partner

Mirick O'Connell Named Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" in 2025

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24 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch List

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management, "Improving Documentation for Compliance, Med/Mal Defense"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Medical Economics, "How to handle a medical board complaint"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management article, "Post-COVID Could Bring Surge in Med Mal Cases"

"A focus on or return to the basics of risk management and quality of care will continue to be important" post-COVID.

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17 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch List

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management article, "COVID Glow May Bring Benefits in Malpractice Litigation"

Elizabeth Greene was featured in ABA Journal article "Elizabeth Greene aims to prevent heart disease and stroke in central Massachusetts"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Hospital Peer Review Article " What to do When Malpractice Allegations Become Defamation"

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Elizabeth Greene recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as being one of the "2020 Top Women of Law"

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Mirick O'Connell Named Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" in 2021

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Relias Media article " Questions Raised Over Clinician Discipline in Covid-19 Era"

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Elizabeth Greene Receives American Heart Association 2020 Legacy Leadership Award

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17 Mirick O'Connell Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch List

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Healthcare Risk Management article " Avoid Common Mistakes in Handling Medical Malpractice"

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Worcester Telegram & Gazette article "Health Foundation Grants Deliver Results Across Central Mass."

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Elizabeth Greene quoted in Part B News article "When Patient Refuses to Wear a Mask, Stand on Rights or Work to Accommodate"

Elizabeth Greene to Co-Chair ABA Physicians Legal Issues Conference

09/20/2021[ read full story ]

Representative Matters

  • Successfully defended a primary care physician on a claim alleging failure to diagnose stroke in a 45-year-old man left with serious and permanent impairments 
  • Successfully defended a primary care physician on a wrongful death claim alleging failure to diagnose pneumonia 
  • Successfully defended a transplant surgeon on a wrongful death claim alleging improper performance of kidney transplant surgery that lead to sepsis and the subsequent death of a 55-year-old woman 
  • Successfully defended primary care physicians in a case alleging failure to timely diagnose prostate cancer by not offering PSA test after age 50  
  • Successfully defended obstetricians in two separate cases alleging failure to diagnose and properly manage deliveries complicated by shoulder dystopia 
  • Successfully defended an orthopedic surgeon in a case alleging failure to properly treat a fractured femur and tibia in 14-year-old boy 
  • Obtained dismissal of all claims against a psychologist by the Board of Registration in Psychology after filing pre-trial motions with the administrative law judge 
  • Negotiated consent agreements for numerous medical professionals with their licensing boards, which allowed them to remain in practice without a suspension of licensure 
  • Successfully represented a major medical institution in grievance arbitration involving an endoscopy technician who claimed a collective bargaining agreement violation after being removed from his department due to his inability to safely perform advanced procedures 
  • Successfully represented a major medical institution in negotiations with a surgeon threatening a lawsuit after receiving a contractual notice of intent not to renew his contract 
  • Coordinated the investigation of allegations of workers’ compensation fraud and threats to witnesses by a housekeeping employee of a major medical institution, culminating in an employment termination decision that the union has not challenged 
  • Successfully represented a major medical institution in a breach of contract, defamation, and tortuous interference action brought in federal court in Massachusetts.  The case was won with a motion to dismiss prior to discovery
 

Our Practices