SBH LLC

SBH partner Patrick O’Connor and associate Caroline Kernan successfully defended a local plastic surgeon at trial for his treatment of a forty-one-year-old woman who underwent an abdominoplasty, flankoplasty, and liposuction. Plaintiff claimed that due to her morbid obesity (BMI of 48), she was not a candidate for the surgery performed because there was too high a risk for intra or postoperative complications and the surgery was unlikely to yield any significant cosmetic improvement. Plaintiff argued the surgeon should have refused to perform the surgery or had the patient lose weight before electing to perform the surgery. Postoperatively, the plaintiff developed skin necrosis, infection, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE), which resulted in an extended hospitalization, prolonged healing issues, and a debilitating scar. The defense conceded the plaintiff was not necessarily an ideal or good candidate, and that she likely would have obtained a better cosmetic result if she lost weight prior to surgery. The defense argued that although the plaintiff was a less than ideal candidate, she was still a candidate for the surgery because she did not want to lose weight and she had realistic goals regarding the cosmetic outcome. Plaintiff asked the jury to award in excess of $5 million. After approximately 1 hour of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the physician. The case was tried in Cook County Circuit Court before The Honorable Judge Maura Slattery-Boyle.

SBH Celebrates Nurses Week!

SBH thanks our Administrative Professionals!

SBH Attorneys Mark Smith and Suzana Broderick successfully defended a local critical care physician and his practice group at trial in Cook County. The case involved an 81-year-old woman who suffered a fatal retroperitoneal hemorrhage after undergoing percutaneous intervention in her leg. After diagnosis of the hemorrhage, the patient was transferred to the ICU, where she was treated and monitored for seven hours before taken to surgery to repair the bleed. Plaintiff claimed the critical care physician should have ordered a STAT vascular surgery consultation immediately upon presentation to the ICU and in the subsequent three hours due to the patient’s persistent hypotension and hemodynamic instability. The defense argued it was reasonable for the physician continue medical management until there was a change suggestive of abdominal compartment syndrome. Plaintiff asked the jury for $15 million in damages for Survival Act and Wrongful Death Act claims. On April 5, 2024, the jury returned a verdict in favor of all defendants. The case was tried in Cook County, Illinois, before The Honorable Jean M. Golden.

SBH partner Kevin Bugos and associates Kevin Fleming and Jack Moore recently secured a crucial win for their client, an engineering firm, in an injury case. In trial court, Mr. Bugos and Mr. Fleming successfully argued a Motion for Summary Judgment, establishing their client did not have actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition involving a staircase in a commercial building and thus secured the client’s dismissal from the case. When the plaintiff appealed, Mr. Bugos and Mr. Fleming, with the assistance of Mr. Moore, successfully defended the dismissal. The Illinois Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of the lower court and agreed with the arguments of the defendants that were accepted in the trial court.

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. At SBH, we proudly commemorate this date with our legal and administrative team, promoting the participation and advancement of women across our firm and within the profession. We also celebrate the achievements of all women, including our colleagues, our clients, and those within our communities.

SBH Attorneys Katie Vaughan, Mark Smith, and Jack Moore successfully defended a local hospital at trial for its treatment of a twenty-four-year-old woman who was 39 weeks and in labor. Plaintiff claimed that while the patient was in labor at the hospital, the nurses failed to accurately read and interpret electronic fetal monitoring and failed to alert the physicians to concerns about fetal well-being. Plaintiff claimed the fetal monitoring revealed evidence of fetal distress resulting in the passage of and aspiration of meconium. When the baby delivered, providers were unable to resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead. Plaintiff claimed the nurses’ negligence caused the baby’s death. SBH attorneys argued the nurses appropriately monitored the mother and baby’s conditions and timely reported to physicians. They further argued the baby’s death was unpreventable as the umbilical cord was hypercoiled, preventing adequate perfusion to the placenta for a period of days before admission and the pathology confirmed the meconium had been present in the amniotic fluid prior to the time the mother arrived at the hospital for delivery. Plaintiff asked the jury to award in excess of $6.5 million. After approximately seven hours of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the hospital. The case was tried in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County before The Honorable Angelo J. Kappas.

SBH celebrates partner Kevin Bugos' recent trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!

SBH Congratulates our 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
⭐️ Jenny Blake - 2024 Super Lawyer
⭐️ Tom Hill - 2024 Super Lawyer
⭐️ Kevin Fleming - 2024 Rising Star
⭐️ Lauren Scalzo - 2024 Rising Star

Smith Blake Hill, LLC, is excited to welcome three partners and two associates to its medical malpractice defense firm. Lynne M. Damsma, Taylor V. Nora, and Patrick J. O’Connor will join the firm as partners. Davida Berk and Caroline Kernan will join as associates.

These additions to Smith Blake Hill’s roster of excellent trial attorneys will expand the firm’s ability to serve its clients in the medical community throughout Illinois. The depth of experience and resources brought to Smith Blake Hill by these new partners and associates will bolster the firm’s commitment to collaboration and creativity in providing counsel to its clients and is anticipated to further the firm’s proven track-record of trial victories.

SBH Attorneys Jenny Blake and Greta Powell successfully defended a local physician/hospitalist and hospital in a three-week jury trial. The patient (51-year-old man) underwent a bilateral total knee replacement and died roughly 24 hours later from a massive pulmonary embolism (PE). Plaintiff claimed the physician failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of a PE earlier in the day, failed to obtain a CT scan to definitively rule it out, and failed to start him on treatment doses of IV heparin. Plaintiff was survived by his wife and four daughters. SBH attorneys argued the pulmonary embolism was a sudden and unpredictable event at the time of his collapse, and the earlier vital sign changes were not from a PE. The defense also argued even if the patient was treated as claimed, it would not have changed the outcome. Plaintiff asked the jury to award in excess of $36-50 million. The jury deliberated for roughly 3 hours and returned a verdict in favor of all defendants. The case was tried in the Circuit Court of Cook County before Judge Bridget Hughes.

Happy Retirement to SBH Partner Bob O'Malley!

On November 28, 2023, SBH Partner Greta Powell will be a discussion leader at the 14th Annual Symposium with the Judges. Ms. Powell will be presenting on the topic of "State of Law Division", featuring Hon. Kathy M. Flanagan and Hon. Patrick J. Sherlock. This will be an excellent event featuring sitting judges from Cook County who will be sharing their wisdom and advice with the lawyers who appear before them.

SBH Named Among Best Law Firms In 2024

SBH Celebrates 8 Years!

SBH Attorneys Mark Smith and Katie Vaughan successfully defended a local OB/GYN at trial for his treatment of a nineteen-year-old woman who presented to the ER and later died, five days after an uncomplicated cesarean delivery of her baby. Plaintiff claimed the local hospital, an ER nurse, the OB/GYN, and three other defendant physicians failed to diagnose and treat the patient’s postpartum infection and septic shock. SBH attorneys argued the patient presented to the ER with overwhelming Group A streptococcal septic shock and was not able to be saved. They further argued it was reasonable for the OB/GYN to defer to the other defendant physicians to start antibiotics and to stabilize the patient before safely proceeding with surgery, should it have been deemed necessary. Plaintiff asked the jury to award in excess of $12 million. After approximately seven hours of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of all defendants. The case was tried in the Circuit Court of Cook County before Judge Thomas V. Lyons, II.

SBH Is Hiring! Seeking an Associate Attorney:

Smith Blake Hill LLC is seeking a litigation associate attorney to join our growing medical malpractice defense team defending hospitals, physicians, and long-term care facilities. This is an opportunity to develop your legal career in a dynamic and exciting practice. You will learn from experienced litigators, participate in case strategy and development, and collaborate with clients and the court. We value our team and provide mentorship for new associates. We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team and contribute to our ongoing success.

Illinois law license is required. The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of litigation experience. Responsibilities of the position include writing briefs, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, and courtroom appearances for both routine motions and jury trials. Experience in these areas will be the mark of an ideal candidate. Excellent writing, speaking, and organizational skills will help you excel in this position.
Interested candidates, please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Principals only. Recruiters, please refrain from contacting.

SBH Congratulates Greta Powell - 2023 Forty Under 40!

Smith Blake Hill is proud to announce two of our exceptional partners, Tom Hill and Mark Smith, have been recognized in the in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, based on industry-wide peer-review ratings. Smith Blake Hill is committed to putting our talent and experience to work for our clients. Congratulations to these outstanding attorneys!

SBH is looking for excellent attorneys to join our team!

Associate Attorney
Smith Blake Hill LLC is seeking a litigation associate attorney to join our growing medical malpractice defense team defending hospitals, physicians, and long-term care facilities. This is an opportunity to develop your legal career in a dynamic and exciting practice. You will learn from experienced litigators, participate in case strategy and development, and collaborate with clients and the court. We value our team and provide mentorship for new associates. We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team and contribute to our ongoing success.

Illinois law license is required. The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years of litigation experience. Responsibilities of the position include writing briefs, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, and courtroom appearances for both routine motions and jury trials. Experience in these areas will be the mark of an ideal candidate. Excellent writing, speaking, and organizational skills will help you excel in this position.

Interested candidates, please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Principals only. Recruiters, please refrain from contacting.

Smith Blake Hill is a great place to work and we'd love to have you join us! We are currently seeking a legal assistant and an associate attorney to join our team. See the full details below!

Legal Assistant
Smith Blake Hill LLC is seeking a Legal Assistant to join our team. Experience working in a law firm is preferred. Knowledge of litigation and medical terms would be beneficial. Tasks include preparing court filings and written discovery, maintaining attorneys' schedules, maintaining open communication with clients, and assisting in all aspects of the trial litigation process. Typing proficiency and a working knowledge of Office365 is required. A partial work-from-home schedule is available. Principals only. Recruiters, please refrain from contacting. Interested candidates, please submit your resume to [email protected].

Associate Attorney
Smith Blake Hill LLC is seeking a litigation associate with two to five years of experience defending hospitals, physicians, and long-term care facilities. The ideal candidate would have experience writing briefs, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, plus courtroom experience (handling routine court appearances and arguing motions). Principals only. Recruiters, please refrain from contacting. Interested candidates, please submit your resume to [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who has helped congratulate SBH partner Mark Smith in his impressive achievement as a new playwright! Mark's play, When All of This is Over, co-written during the pandemic, is running at Glass Apple Theater through May 7th. See the link below for tickets to this captivating show before it is gone! Congratulations Mark, we are proud of you!
https://www.raventheatre.com/stage/allofthis/

Congrats to SBH associate Lacey Locke who is being inducted into the Indiana Swimming and Diving High School Hall of Fame on April 15, 2023! Lacey had a tremendous swimming career at Carmel High School and Northwestern University. In high school, she was part of eleven state titles, three of which were individual races, and she was a member of eight winning relay teams. At SBH, Lacey continues to excel, providing outstanding defense of our clients while also bringing an infectious smile and winning attitude to the office. Congrats Lacey on your well-deserved award!

SBH attorneys Tom Hill and Samantha D’Anna successfully defended an orthopedic hand surgeon at trial in Cook County, Illinois. The plaintiff claimed the physician failed to timely diagnose compartment syndrome in the forearm of a sixty-five-year-old patient after extravasation of dye following placement of an IV. Plaintiff claimed the delay in diagnosis and performance of a fasciotomy caused permanent muscle and nerve injury resulting in complex regional pain syndrome and disabling pain. The defense argued the physician’s exam was thorough and appropriate, the patient did not have compartment syndrome at the time of the exam, appropriate follow up was arranged and the patient would have needed a fasciotomy once the compartment syndrome was present. The jury found in favor of the physician. The case was tried in the Circuit Court of Cook County before Judge Thomas V. Lyons, II.