Mr. Baum is a Founding Member of Baum O’Connor Cullen Chmiel and currently retired from the practice of law. For more than 40 years, Mr. Baum focused his practice on the representation of physicians, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers, particularly in the defense of medical malpractice lawsuits, and in related contract and employment litigation. Mr. Baum had extensive trial experience, having tried well over 100 cases in his career. We thank him for his leadership and guidance and wish him well in retirement.
Mr. Baum also represented healthcare professionals in administrative matters involving professional licensing, certification, credentialing, discipline, and privileges. He has defended medical providers in malpractice and related lawsuits (including wrongful discharge, breach of contract, and defamation) in state and federal courts and in alternative dispute resolution forums throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania.
Mr. Baum was a Fellow and Past President of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County. Martindale-Hubbell gave Mr. Baum an A/V “Preeminent” peer review rating, which is their highest rating for both legal ability and personal qualities such as reliability, diligence and ethics. Since 2007, Mr. Baum had been listed in every edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. He served as a lecturer and panelist for numerous continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Professional Education Systems Institute, Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, and Allegheny County Bar Association.
Results
Represented internist and CRNP who treated 49 year old woman who complained of abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with reflux and prescribed PPIs that made her feel better. One year later, she went to another internist who ordered a GI consult. An EGD revealed gastric cancer. She died 20 months later. Unanimous defense verdict after 7 day jury trial.
Represented family physician who diagnosed 56 year old male with new onset atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and tachycardia. Prescribed Atenolol and Coumadin and ordered radiographic studies. Two days later, patient suffered a stroke in his cerebral artery. 6 day jury trial resulted in a defense verdict.
79 year old male with history of chronic anemia admitted for sudden drop in hemoglobin. Found to have large cecal mass. Heme/onc consult diagnosed hemolytic anemia days after defendant surgeon resected mass. Surgeon/client criticized for not sooner consulting heme/onc and not having anemia treated before surgery. Pt died from sepsis 2 months later. Unanimous defense verdict after 7 day jury trial.
Represented radiologist who performed Gastrografin enema on 56 year old female 10 months post-surgery for rectal cancer. A colovaginal fistula was caused by cath balloon inflation. Necessitated ileostomy for 2 years until cancer recurred. Unanimous defense verdict after 5 day jury trial.
Publications and Presentations
The Brave New World of Medical Malpractice Litigation
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Risky Business: How to Avoid Getting Sued
- Pennsylvania Health Care Association
Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Lights, Camera, Evidence!
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Medical Malpractice: Focus on Orthopedic Surgery
- Pennsylvania Association of Trial Lawyers
Asserting Claims & Defending Nursing Homes
- Professional Education Systems Institute
Tough Problems in Medical Malpractice
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Nursing Home Litigation: Preparation, Mediation & Trial
- Professional Education Systems Institute
New Civil Jury Instructions
- Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case
- Pennsylvania Bar Institute
The Trial of a Nursing Home Case
- Pennsylvania Health Care Association
Education
Syracuse University, B.S. with honors, 1977
Ohio Northern University School of Law, J.D., 1980 (Law Review Managing Editor)
Professional
& Community
Involvement
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2007-Present
Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, Fellow and Past President
Allegheny County Bar Foundation
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