AssistantJessica Lickfield
215.972.7900 ext. 7311
jlickfield@wglaw.com Suzanne Utke focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense of physicians, medical practice groups and nurses, as well as corporate defense of hospitals, physicians' groups, nursing homes and residential organizations caring for people with profound disabilities.
Before her career in law, Suzanne was a Critical Care Registered Nurse working in clinical settings at major University teaching hospitals in Philadelphia in the pediatric and neonatal cardiac, surgical, trauma, organ transplant, and infectious disease Intensive Care Units, as well as Emergency Departments in Philadelphia and Delaware, including pre-hospital transport via helicopter for pediatric trauma victims. She has also been a Nursing Administrator in adult hospitals for the ICUs, ERs and Obstetric Departments. Suzanne maintains a current nursing license in Pennsylvania and remains active in community service projects sponsored by health care institutions.
Suzanne’s law practice also focuses on claims involving medical devices and products liability, as well as investigational research studies and Institutional Review Board liability.
Suzanne has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation through trial throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has prevailed in defense verdicts appealed to Pennsylvania and New Jersey Supreme Courts. She has litigated matters in 14 states. Suzanne also represents healthcare professionals for peer and credentialing reviews, as well as State Board Investigations.
Suzanne has negotiated and prepared incorporation agreements for new physician practice groups, negotiated the terms of incorporation with the principles, and also represented physicians and physician practice groups in negotiations with healthcare systems for employment matters and mergers.
Suzanne has received a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating for the past 15 years.
Suzanne Utke focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense of physicians, medical practice groups and nurses, as well as corporate defense of hospitals, physicians' groups, nursing homes and residential organizations caring for people with profound disabilities.
Before her career in law, Suzanne was a Critical Care Registered Nurse working in clinical settings at major University teaching hospitals in Philadelphia in the pediatric and neonatal cardiac, surgical, trauma, organ transplant, and infectious disease Intensive Care Units, as well as Emergency Departments in Philadelphia and Delaware, including pre-hospital transport via helicopter for pediatric trauma victims. She has also been a Nursing Administrator in adult hospitals for the ICUs, ERs and Obstetric Departments. Suzanne maintains a current nursing license in Pennsylvania and remains active in community service projects sponsored by health care institutions.
Suzanne’s law practice also focuses on claims involving medical devices and products liability, as well as investigational research studies and Institutional Review Board liability.
Suzanne has successfully represented clients in all phases of litigation through trial throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has prevailed in defense verdicts appealed to Pennsylvania and New Jersey Supreme Courts. She has litigated matters in 14 states. Suzanne also represents healthcare professionals for peer and credentialing reviews, as well as State Board Investigations.
Suzanne has negotiated and prepared incorporation agreements for new physician practice groups, negotiated the terms of incorporation with the principles, and also represented physicians and physician practice groups in negotiations with healthcare systems for employment matters and mergers.
Suzanne has received a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating for the past 15 years.
ExperienceSecured a defense verdict for two defendant Radiologists in a case where they were alleged to have missed the diagnosis of a thoracic aortic aneurysm on the abdominal CT scans that they interpreted 6 and 18 months before plaintiff’s demise. The defense of this case surrounded the fact that a thoracic mid-ascending aortic aneurysm cannot be seen from an abdominal CT scan.
Attained a defense verdict for a Family Practice Physician who allegedly delayed diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in a 65-year-old man with an elevated PSA level. The two-week trial was held in Montgomery county. Plaintiff alleged that, by the time of diagnosis, he had an aggressive Stage IV, metastatic cancer and died before the date of trial.
Attained a defense verdict as the only remaining defendant, representing a Psychiatrist who evaluated a 29-year-old man that was admitted to the Step Down Unit of the hospital with hallucinations, delusions, erratic behavior, and a very high ammonia level when brought to the ER. Six hours after the psychiatric exam, the plaintiff got up from the bed where he was lying with his girlfriend, ran across the hall, and jumped through a 4th story window, landing on the 2nd-floor roof. He survived, but with many injuries. All other parties settled before and during the trial, which took two weeks to complete.
Professional & Community Involvement
- New Jersey Trial Attorneys Association, Member
- Trucking Industry Defense Association, Member
- National Association of Professional Women, Member
- National Association of Female Professionals, Member
- Philadelphia Area Society of Healthcare Risk Managers, Member
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Member
- Thomas Jefferson Diploma Nurses Alumni Association, Member
- Widener University School of Nursing Alumni Association, Member
- Widener University Lawyers Alumni Association, Member
- DRI Nursing Home / ALF Seminar Co-Chair
- DRI Committees: Medical Liability and Health Care Law, Drug and Medical Device
- Toys for Tots Campaign, Organizer/Director
- Network Mentoring Program, Widener University School of Law, Member
- Women's Law Caucus, Widener University School of Law, Member
- Moot Court Judge, Widener University School of Law, Member
- Thomas Jefferson University School of Physicians Assistants, Instructor
- Military Assistance Program, Member
Suzanne has received the following awards:
- United Methodist Women Gift in Mission Award
- National Academy of Jurisprudence – Premier 100
- Top 100 - National Association of Excellence in Jurisprudence: Judicial Appointment – Pennsylvania
- Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Nursing Healthcare
AssistantJessica Lickfield
215.972.7900 ext. 7311
jlickfield@wglaw.com |
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