Lynne N. Nahmani

Significant Representative Matters

• Represented general surgeon called in to perform emergency laparoscopic appendectomy. Five days after uneventful surgery and discharge, plaintiff is transported via medivac to a tertiary care facility for an emergent splenectomy. Defense successfully utilized literature and expert testimony both on direct and cross examination that, however rare, splenic injury can occur after laparoscopic procedure due to the insufflation of the abdomen in the presence of adhesions. Jury returned a verdict for the defense.

• Represented mental health institution whereby a depressed and bipolar 28-year-old father and husband was receiving outpatient treatment when he locked himself in his truck, covered himself with gasoline and struck a match, only to survive. Plaintiff suffered second and third degree burns over more than 70 percent of his body. He lived severely disfigured with no facial features and no arms below the elbows. Plaintiff claimed defendant facility failed to recognize plaintiff's suicide risk and was ill-equipped to handle patients with a dual diagnosis. Successfully defended at mediation.

• Jury returned a defense verdict for general surgeon who took an 89-year-old to surgery for treatment of diverticulitis and made the medical judgment not to remove the affected colon once the patient's vital signs took a turn for the worse during surgery. Decision to get the patient out of surgery and treat with antibiotics was not successful as the patient died within 48 hours. Defense convinced the jury that the surgeon was not negligent, rather, he exercised medical judgment in making this decision.

• Defendant hospital granted summary judgment in a case where it was alleged the hospital failed to provide an appropriate and complete background check subsequent to employing a nurse who was later accused of killing patients within the institution. Claims dismissed on jurisdiction and lack of patient-physician relationship.

• Obtained a defense directed verdict in a nursing home trial against a well-known plaintiffs' firm. Allegations included violations of the NJ Nursing Home statute with damages for a Stage IV decubiti, loss of dignity and requests for statutory counsel fees. Testimony from ex-employees and family members was introduced to suggest the resident was left for many hours unattended, double diapered and dirty. Plaintiffs never came off a $1 million dollar demand.

Published Works

• Handbook of Medical Malpractice in New Jersey, 2009

• "Doctor's Personal Characteristics Not Relevant to Claims of Informed Consent," The Redwoods Group Dentists Insurance Program, Monthly Article, January 2002

• "Defending the Discovery Rule," Defense Digest, Spring 1993

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Long-Term Care, Hospicomm, April 4, 2012

• Nursing Home Litigation – How to Handle and Defend a Case, Allied World Assurance Company, January 2012

• When You Are First Sued, What to Do and What Not to Do and the Processes of a Medical Negligence Claim, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, program for medical residents and physicians, Spring 2010

• Seminars given at local hospitals for interns and residents, CME credits

• Annual Seminar for Clients and Risk Managers, Princeton Insurance Company

• Risk Management and Dental Claims, Eastern Dentists Insurance Company

• Mock Trial Demonstration, South Jersey Medical Office Managers Society, Conventus Insurance Company

Education

• Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1989 J.D.

• Boston University, Sargents College, Boston, Massachusetts, 1985 B.S.

  Major: Occupational Therapy