Kline & Specter lawyers named among best in PA

Fifteen Kline & Specter lawyers were named as 2014 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers or "Rising Stars," with Tom Kline selected as the state’s No. 1 attorney for a record (in any state) 11th consecutive year and Shanin Specter named in the state's Top 10 for his 11th year. Additionally, the firm was chosen by the independent rating service as one of the Top 50 in the country with attorneys known for their excellence in litigation. Super Lawyers recommended Kline & Specter as a law firm people should seek out for representation in civil matters. Other Kline & Specter lawyers selected as 2014 Super Lawyers are Andrew J. Stern, Lee B. Balefsky, director of Mass Torts, Michelle L. Tiger, Andrew S. Youman, Charles L. Becker, head of the firm’s Appellate Division, David J. Caputo, head of Whistleblower Litigation, Michael A. Trunk, Regan S. Safier, and Garabet M. Zakeosian, one of Kline & Specter’s five attorneys who are also doctors. Four Kline & Specter attorneys also were named as Pennsylvania Rising Stars, designating them as among the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state who are 40 or younger or practicing for 10 years or less. They are Kila B. Baldwin, David K. Inscho, David C. Williams and Mark S. Polin, who is also a doctor.

Verdict of $5.5 million for injured passenger in commercial van

Jim Waldenberger and David Williams won a $5.5 million verdict for a passenger who was seriously injured when a commercial van in which he was riding struck a utility pole. The passenger, a 56-year-old disabled man, suffered injuries to his spinal cord and was rendered a quadriplegic. The accident occurred in 2012 in Reading and the case was tried in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, where the company which operated the van does business. The jury deliberated five hours before delivering its verdict.

Risperdal cases headed to trial

Tom Kline, Kristen Sipala and lawyers from Sheller, P.C. are gearing up for two of the first trials in the nation involving the drug Risperdal. Both cases involve the side effect of gynecomastia – an often painful and irreversible abnormal breast development in male children and adolescents -- who took the anti-psychotic medication, which was not approved at the time for pediatric patients. The law firms are co-liaison counsel for litigation based in the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and represent hundreds of clients who have suffered the injury. Tom Kline is lead trial counsel. Trial on the first case begins Sept. 29. Learn more about the Risperdal Litigation.

$35M settlement reached in whistleblower case

David Caputo, head of the firm’s Whistleblower Department, announced a $35 million settlement in a health care fraud case against a company and two of its affiliated hospitals in Tucson, Arizona. The settlement by the U.S. Department of Justice was the largest False Claims Act recovery in Arizona history. Caputo and David Williams, also of Kline & Specter, teamed with Joseph Trautwein & Associates in representing the whistleblower who filed the lawsuit, a former employee of the defendant, Carondelet Health Network, who will receive a $5,950,000 government reward. The complaint alleged that Carondelet submitted false claims to Medicare for payment for inpatient rehabilitation facility services. The settlement was announced on Aug. 13. Caputo told the news media the settlement was “an extraordinary achievement and confirms once again the essential role that private whistleblowers and their counsel play in helping our partners in the government to combat health care fraud.” (Read the complete article)

Smerconish out with new book, first work of fiction

Michael Smerconish, syndicated talk-radio host and of counsel at Kline & Specter, published his latest book and first work of fiction – Talk: A Novel. The book is described on Amazon.com as “the Primary Colors of 2014, an explosive novel exposing the inner workings of conservative talk radio and campaign politics.” It continues: “With a story that could have been ripped from the headlines, deeply developed characters and interconnected plotlines, and one of the most shocking and rewarding denouements you'll ever experience, this is the perfect political thriller for today's America.” To learn more or to order the book, click here.

Tom Kline speaks at Drexel Law graduation

Tom Kline addressed the Class of 2014 in his capacity as Chair of the Board of Advisors of Drexel School of Law and as a member of the Drexel University Board of Trustees at the annual Commencement held on May 22. He was followed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, who delivered the commencement address. Kline encouraged the new graduates by telling them: “There is no shortage of righteous causes nor an oversupply of advocates to take them on."

Specter pens CNN Opinion

CNN published an op-ed piece written by Shanin Specter about mismanagement and dishonesty on the part of the American auto industry. Citing the current scandal plaguing General Motors over its defective ignition systems, Specter noted that Ford Motor Co. also has a history of failing to act properly to correct faulty parts. He should know: Specter litigated three cases to jury verdicts against Ford involving fatal accidents caused by defective parking brakes. “The repetitive nature of these deadly occurrences requires a muscular federal response,” he wrote for CNN. “The government agency charged with overseeing auto safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, should be doing a much better job protecting the public.” To read the entire op-ed, titled (by CNN) “Don’t let the auto industry kill you,” click here.

Specter interviewed on VA treatment

LawyersandSettlements.com extensively quoted Shanin Specter in a July article on the state of treatment at Veterans Administration hospitals. The online legal news source interviewed Specter as an expert on the topic, noting that he has won more than 200 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more and that he currently represents a number of servicemen and women and their families in cases against the VA over improper medical care. Specter said in the article that health care at VA facilities has generally improved over “the bad old days” but that delays in treatment continues to be problematic. “When you have delays,” he was quoted as saying, “you are going to have more deaths and other complications that are going to affect quality of life.” (Read the complete article)

Allen Iverson signs new book

Tom Kline shares the new book Dying to Have a Baby with former Philadelphia 76er great Allen Iverson during a recent dinner. The book contains a chapter titled “Allen Iverson” which recounts Kline's decision about a trial while attending a Sixers game in the year the team made it to the NBA finals. Iverson autographed the chapter for author Robert Zausner with the words: "Thanks for including me, Bob." The book is the true story of Suzanne Wester Matteo, an OB/GYN who was herself receiving fertility treatment in trying to conceive when a medical procedure took a terribly wrong turn. More on the book at www.dyingtohaveababy.com

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