Professional Liability
Our professional liability defense group is comprised of attorneys with unsurpassed expertise in defending professionals from a variety of industries, including claims involving medical/healthcare providers, the legal/accounting industries, real estate agents/brokers, insurance agents/brokers, design professionals/architects and engineers, financial planners, investment advisors, and other professional disciplines.
The medical and health care industries are settings in which any type of mishap can become the catalyst for a professional liability lawsuit. Our firm represents a variety of medical and health care professionals in such cases and board proceedings. Our clients include hospitals, dialysis centers, nursing homes, doctors, nurses, and psychologists, and other health care professionals. We defend in all types of professional liability health care claims involving professional negligence, medical malpractice, and improper patient care. Whether a client is facing charges before a disciplinary board or in court, our attorneys ensure the client’s voice is heard and accurately conveyed.
Degan, Blanchard & Nash’s representation of accountants includes claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. In addition, we handle cases concerning numerous accounting and auditing issues, such as the failure to detect embezzlement and employee defalcation, as well as errors in the provision of consulting services, inventory valuations, internal controls, and balance sheet presentations. We also represent clients before professional boards with respect to client disputes, ethical issues, and licensing. When appropriate, we are able to leverage outside resources to gain intimate knowledge of a plaintiff’s business and/or to provide our firm with a better understanding of the claims being brought against our clients.
Our attorneys have a successful record of practicing in the design, engineering, and construction industries, and they have substantial experience in the complexities of construction law and litigation, which is an environment that is continually changing. Professional liability claims in these industries have become so common that many plaintiffs consider professional liability policies to be an additional source of project contingency funding. Our attorneys have litigated numerous cases to successful conclusions for our clients. In addition to defending claims in courts, alternative dispute forums, and before professional boards, we have advised our clients on risk management to help reduce exposure to future claims.
The attorneys in our professional liability defense group also are experienced in representing officers and directors against allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, usurpation of corporate opportunities, unlawful distribution of corporate assets, discrimination and other alleged wrongdoing. Officers and directors also have exposure in traditional breach of contract and commercial matters, which we handle on a regular basis.
Professional liability claims against lawyers historically escalate during economic downturns like that occurring now. Due to factors such as the loss of value of assets, many business deals lose traction, and many attorneys begin to practice outside their core areas of competency. Regardless of the reasons, accusations of poor conduct or misrepresentations represent a threat for all law firms in all economies. Our attorneys are prepared to represent legal professionals against professional liability claims before state and federal courts, arbitral panels, and licensing and disciplinary boards.
Regardless of the type of case, the attorneys in our professional liability defense group approach every engagement with earnest. We work closely with our clients to identify their needs, and allocate and manage our resources in the most efficient manner possible to achieve their goals. The attorneys in our professional liability defense group have earned a reputation for their experience, expertise, knowledge, and ethics among their peers in the profession.