Matis Baum O'Connor
Matis Baum O'Connor

James R. Hartline

Focus:

For the past 35 years Jim Hartline has represented the interests of physicians, hospitals, nurses, long-term care facilities and other allied health care providers in professional liability litigation, licensure matters and staff privilege disputes throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania. His experience extends to product liability litigation involving medical devices and pharmaceuticals, personal injury and insurance coverage/bad faith issues.

Of Interest

Mr. Hartline is a frequent consultant and lecturer to health care providers on the topics of risk management, documentation, patient communication and medical malpractice litigation. He has provided numerous in-service presentations to physician groups, hospital medical and nursing staffs, medical societies, home care agencies and health care administrators. Mr. Hartline has been named a Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer," a distinction enjoyed by only five percent of practicing attorneys in Pennsylvania. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, membership to which is extended only to litigators who have demonstrated outstanding ability and experience in their fields.

Sample Experience And Verdicts

  • Successful defense of a case involving the death of a 42 year old wife and mother with pulmonary hypertension who was alleged to have died of an undiagnosed pulmonary embolism.
  • Successful defense of a cardiologist in a case alleging the death of a 50 year old female from aortic dissection.
  • Successful defense of a cardiologist for alleged failure to diagnose hyperthyroidism as the cause of cardiomyopathy.
  • Successful defense of a pediatrician for alleged failure to diagnose infection resulting in death of an infant.
  • Successful defense of an orthopedic surgeon for osteomyelitis following compound ankle fracture.
  • Successful defense of an obstetrician in a case alleging perinatal hypoxia and resulting cerebral palsy.

Presentations

  • "Nine Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Being Sued."
  • "Patient Communication - Your Best Defense."
  • "Nursing Documentation."
  • "Computerized Documentation - Some Pitfalls."
  • "Peer Review for Physicians and Patient Safety Committees."
  • "Patient Safety Provisions Under the MCare Act."
  • "Case Studies - Nursing Misadventures."
  • "So You've Been Sued - What Next?"
  • Planner and Participant in Video Series on Medical Malpractice Litigation produced by PMSLIC Insurance Company for physician insureds.