Julie A. Ramson
Partner
Julie Ramson has practiced medical malpractice defense for over thirty years. Prior to that, she worked as a Registered Nurse for several years as a staff nurse, a Head Nurse for an Emergency Department, and a Medical ICU and then as a Director of Nursing for a small surgical hospital. Her background as a nurse in the medical field has provided a good understanding of the everyday practice of doctors, nurses and other health care workers in a variety of fields. It has also allowed her to develop a signature approach to medical trials and how to best explain the medical issues of a case in lay terms to a jury. Because of her ability to explain these issues clearly, she has an impressive trial success record.
Biography
Ms. Ramson has extensive experience representing physicians, nurses and other health care workers, along with professional corporations. Her clients appreciate her ability to explain the legal process to them and put them at ease in the litigation arena.
Her experience in teaching and relating to patients as a nurse, a supervisor and a nursing director has given her the ability to translate complex medical cases into language readily understood by jurors and lead them to verdicts in her client’s favor.
When not working on a trial, Ms. Ramson enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family, especially her great nieces. She also has written a number of murder mysteries for publication on Amazon and has sold over 50,000 copies and has received honors for her writing.
Memberships
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Highlights
Illinois Super Lawyer 2006, 2007, and 2017
Jury Verdict Award for Excellence 2014
Education
- University of Wisconsin, BSN (Registered Nurse)
- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, J.D.
Admissions
- State of Illinois
- USDC – Northern District of Illinois
Matters
Defense of physician — Medical Malpractice
The legal representative of a deceased patient filed a lawsuit claiming our client, a physician, failed to accurately interpret cardiology tests. The plaintiff sought damages of up to $15 million, but Ms. Ramson’s successful defense resulted in a verdict finding no liability on the part of the doctor.
Defense of doctor– Medical Malpractice
Client was accused of failing to properly treat a 23-year old man who was suffering from bilateral pneumonia. Even with the aggressive treatment by the admitting physician, two critical care physicians, and an infectious disease specialist, the young man eventually succumbed to his illness. A lawsuit filed on behalf of the patient’s estate was ultimately dismissed without any payment or liability on the part of any of the doctors.
Defense of Cardiologist– Medical Malpractice
A cardiologist was asked to see an elderly patient to evaluate him for a possible cardiac ablation. The patient presented with atrial flutter and supraventricular arrhythmias. The cardiologist recommended an electrophysiologic study and cardia ablation. The atrial flutter and the supraventricular arrhythmias ablated and resolved, but the day after the procedures, the patient experienced plummeting blood oxygen saturations requiring the patient being placed on a ventilator. The patient died four years later, and the family sued the cardiologist. McKenna successfully defended the cardiologist who won the case following a trial.
Publications
The Difference between a Deposition and Trial Testimony (May, 2016)
Presentations
- Guest Lecturer, “Risk Management and Records Keeping” Seminar, March 2000
- Faculty Lecturer, Masters Program, National University of Health Sciences, “Risk Management” 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Guest Lecturer PSIC Agency Workshop, 2013
Blog Posts and Articles
- Unexpected Finding at Autopsy of a Perforated Duodenal Ulcer Results in Winning Verdict for a Cardiologist and Five Other Defendants Retrospectively Charged with Medical NegligenceIn March and April Julie Ramson and Dawn Ehrenberg won a case involving a young woman, age 22, who passed away from sepsis following a ruptured duodenal ulcer. The ulcer was not discovered until autopsy because the young woman was admitted with generalized weakness, neurological abnormalities, an abnormal EKG and hypertension.
- Persistence is the Key to Victory In A Medical Malpractice CaseIn May and June of this year we tried and won a difficult medical malpractice case in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant physician misread certain biopsy tissue slides of the plaintiff’s vocal cords in 2010, missing his cancer and allowing it to grow and spread.
- Oh no! I’ve been sued for medical malpractice!You’ve just been served with a summons or complaint for medical malpractice. You are shocked – and frankly, enraged that this patient – or their family – would turn on you.
- Medical Malpractice Settlements – Double Edged SwordMedical malpractice settlements are a double edged sword. The doctor, or other health care professional, has been sued. They are vulnerable and emotional – they are hurt that their patient or the patient’s family would sue them, angry that they have been sued, and scared that they could lose their professional liability insurance and/or their… Read more: Medical Malpractice Settlements – Double Edged Sword
- Depositions and Trial Testimony: Knowing the Difference When You’re Under OathA subpoena hit your door and you’re staring down the barrel of a lawsuit. Malpractice attorneys know all too well that when you’re facing this sort of legal action, it’s critical to say and do the right things. You may be asked to give testimony in a deposition, where the plaintiff’s attorney will ask questions… Read more: Depositions and Trial Testimony: Knowing the Difference When You’re Under Oath
- McKenna Storer’s Julie Ramson Successfully Defends a Medical Malpractice CaseJulie Ramson successfully defends another medical malpractice defense case adding to a string of “not guilty” verdicts in her career. Ms Ramson focuses on defense litigation and professional liability within McKenna Storer. Ms. Ramson applied her signature approach and translated complex medical intricacies into an understandable story that resonated well with the jury. Her trademarks… Read more: McKenna Storer’s Julie Ramson Successfully Defends a Medical Malpractice Case
- The Difference between a Deposition and Trial TestimonyJulie Ramson recently had her article, “The Difference between a Deposition and Trial Testimony”, published in the PSIC Physician Connection Newsletter. To read a PDF version of the article, clink on this link: PSIC_Physician_Connection_Newsletter
