Logan Logan & Watson, L.C.: Who We Are

In April 2010, Jeff Brown and Ryan Fowler successfully defended an anesthesiologist at trial in Kansas City, Kansas in a matter involving allegations of "Anesthesia Awareness." The plaintiff underwent a right total hip replacement surgery on June 8, 2006, to replace a surgically repaired arthritic hip that had been reinjured in a fall. The plaintiff alleged that, during the surgery, he suffered an episode of "Anesthesia Awareness" when the inhaled anesthetic agent (Isoflurane) was decreased to offset the plaintiff's decreasing blood pressure. The plaintiff claimed that he awoke during the surgery and was able to feel all aspects of the operation being performed on his hip and hear discussions in the operating room. Following the alleged event, the plaintiff became an outspoken advocate on the topic of Anesthesia Awareness, making frequent media appearances in local and national media, including appearances on Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360 and a feature story in the National Enquirer. In closing arguments, counsel for the plaintiff refused to make a specific demand for recovery, instead asking the jury for what it thought the average person on the street would take in exchange for undergoing the claimed horrific experience of being awake during a surgery. The defendant pointed the jury to the evidence showing the life-saving need for the reduction in the anesthetic gas. The defendant also noted the numerous inconsistencies in the plaintiff's claimed memory of the awareness that showed it was something that most likely occurred post-operatively, after the patient had been transferred to the intensive care unit. The jury returned an 11-1 defense verdict, finding no negligence after less than 35 minutes of deliberation.

In May 2010, Tom Pickert and Ryan Fowler were selected to be speakers at the 2010 Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund Defense Counsel Seminar. Their presentation entitled “Courtroom Medicine: Defining Reasonable Medical Probability” explored the loose standards often employed by medical experts who provide opinions that purport to be to a reasonable degree of medical probability/certainty on the issue of causation and damages.

The firm has recently successfully defended four separate complex medical malpractice actions in a span of just 4 weeks:

In September 2009, Brad Watson and Tom Pickert successfully defended two obstetricians in an action in which the patient, a 46 year old female, claimed an anoxic brain injury related to a ruptured uterus diagnosed at the time of the C-section delivery of her child. The patient alleged the uterine rupture was caused by the inappropriate use of Pitocin to induce labor. The total claim for damages at trial was in excess of $300,000.

In September 2009, Scott Logan and Ryan Fowler successfully defended a neurologist against allegations of negligence concerning the evaluation and treatment of a 81 year old female who saw our client for evaluations and assessment of her cognitive impairment syndrome and early Alzheimer's dementia. The patient alleged that our client had inappropriately performed the assessment and as a result had failed to prevent her subsequent sudden blindness secondary to Giant Cell Arteritis. At the close of the patient's evidence the Court granted a directed verdict, resulting in the dismissal of the case against our client. The plaintiff claimed damages at trial in excess of $1,000,000.

In September 2009, Brad Watson and Tom Pickert successfully defended a general surgeon against allegations of negligence concerning a 63 year old male who underwent a left hemicolectomy to remove a cancerous tumor from his colon. Approximately seven days following the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with a ureter injury which was subsequently repaired. Prior to trial a non-negotiable demand of $400,000 was submitted by the attorneys for the patient. The total claim for damages at trial was in excess of $1,000,000.

In October 2009, Brad Watson and Ryan Fowler successfully defended an orthopedic surgeon against allegations of negligence relating to a total knee replacement surgery for a 40 year old male. The patient developed complications secondary to a post-operative infection resulting in a subsequent fusion of the joint. The total claim for damages at trial was in excess of $1,000,000.

For further details, please see Trial Results, Recent Projects and Reported Cases.

Scott K. Logan has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America. The induction ceremony took place recently before an audience of approximately 974 persons during the recent 2009 Annual Meeting of the College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only, and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

SCOTT LOGAN NAMED A MISSOURI & KANSAS "SUPER LAWYER." JEFF BROWN AND RYAN FOWLER NAMED "RISING STARS"

Scott Logan has again been named a "Super Lawyer" by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers publication. Jeff Brown and Ryan Fowler have also been recognized as "Rising Stars" by the same publication.

Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Rising Stars names the state's top up-and-coming attorneys. The "Super Lawyer" designation indicates that the lawyer is in the top 5% of lawyers practicing in Missouri and Kansas. A "Rising Star" is an up-and-coming attorney who is either 40 or younger or has been in practice ten or fewer years. The results are based on responses to surveys sent to Kansas and Missouri lawyers who themselves have been selected as Super Lawyers. The final list of "Rising Stars" includes less than 3 percent of the Kansas and Missouri Bar. Recognition of these honors was also published in the November 2009 edition of Kansas City Magazine.

Tom Pickert was accepted into the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership program. The Centurion Leadership Program is an intensive, two-year development program focused on preparing Greater Kansas City's future leaders. It is designed to prepare a representative cross section of the community's emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of Kansas City. Applicants were selected on the basis of a written application, recommendations, and interviews. The recruiting committee selects a group from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds, each with strong potential as a future community leader.

In October 2008, Brad Watson and Ryan Fowler successfully defended a neurosurgeon in an action relating to the evaluation and treatment of an alleged spinal epidural abscess that led to a 56 year old woman developing paraplegia. The plaintiff's total claim for damages at trial was in excess of $1 million. This is the fourth defense verdict obtained by the firm in the past 13 months. For further details, please see Trial Results, Recent Projects and Reported Cases.

SCOTT LOGAN NAMED A MISSOURI & KANSAS “SUPER LAWYER” AND JEFF BROWN NAMED A “RISING STAR”

Scott Logan has again been named a "Super Lawyer" by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers publication. Jeff Brown was also recognized as a "Rising Star" by the same publication. Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Rising Stars names the state's top up-and-coming attorneys. The "Super Lawyer" designation indicates that the lawyer is in the top 5% of lawyers practicing in Missouri and Kansas. A "Rising Star" is an up-and-coming attorney who is 40 or younger or has been in practice ten or fewer years. The results are based on responses to surveys sent to Kansas and Missouri lawyers who themselves have been selected as Super Lawyers. The final list of "Rising Stars" includes less than 3 percent of the Kansas and Missouri Bar. Recognition of these honors was also published in the November 2008 edition of Kansas City Magazine.

FRED LOGAN NEGOTIATES AND DOCUMENTS GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE FOR PARK AND CONSERVATION PURPOSES

Fred Logan recently represented G. Kenneth Baum in negotiating and documenting gifts to the Johnson County Park and Recreation District of environmentally sensitive real estate in southern Johnson County. Mr. Baum made an outright donation of approximately 25 acres for park purposes and made grants of conservation easement in perpetuity on two tracts totaling approximately 35 acres. The real estate included the Camp Branch Creek and a tributary, described by one environmental expert as "the last intact stream system remaining in Johnson County." Mr. Baum is the former chairman of George K. Baum & Company and is a leader in the conservation movement in Kansas.

Tom Pickert authored an article concerning the admissibility of settlements in trials involving multiple defendants that has been published in the Kansas Defense Journal. The article titled, "Introducing Evidence of Settlement in Multi-Defendant Medical Malpractice Cases" appeared in the Fall 2008, Issue II of the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel's ("KADC") Kansas Defense Journal.

The firm has recently successfully defended three difficult jury trials where the total damages claimed were in excess of $20 million.

In October 2007, Scott Logan and Tom Pickert successfully defended a general surgeon against allegations of negligence concerning the evaluation of potential malignant breast lesions in a 44 year old woman. The decedent left behind a husband, an adult child and two minor children living in the home. The total claim for damages was in excess of $4 million.

In January 2008, Brad Watson and Scott Logan successfully defended a cardiologist against allegations of negligence concerning the evaluation and treatment of endocarditis that allegedly caused a 62 year old man to suffer a major stroke. The total claim for damages was in excess of $8 million.

In April 2008, Brad Watson and Tom Pickert successfully defended an OBGYN physician against allegations of negligence concerning the prenatal and birthing care of a 27 year old woman, allegedly resulting in neurological injuries to one twin. The total claim for damages was in excess of $ 8 million.

For further details, please see Trial Results, Recent Projects and Reported Cases.

Fred Logan has been named Johnson Countian of the Year by the Johnson County Community College Foundation. The prestigious award is given for outstanding civic leadership in the county.

In announcing that Mr. Logan would be the recipient for 2008, Foundation officials cited his work in behalf of education. Bank of Blue Valley president and chief executive officer Bob Regnier said, "His unwavering support of education at all levels has positively impacted our community for future generations."

Logan was also praised for his civic leadership in the metropolitan Kansas City area. Johnson County Community College President Terry Calaway said, "Fred has a long record of limitless civic commitment to the metropolitan area, Johnson County, and Johnson County Community College. It's a privilege for us to honor someone who works so tirelessly for the good of the community."

Logan will receive the award at a black-tie gala that raises scholarship funds for students at Johnson County Community College Foundation.

For a complete list of Fred's numerous civic activities and honors, please see his complete Resume.