MDLA member J. Michael Coleman and his trial team, which comprised associate, Jacob O. Malatesta and paralegal, Jennifer Hawk, won a bench trial in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi. The case, styled Darrell Taylor, as Next Friend And Father of Damari Taylor, a Minor vs. University of Mississippi Medical Center, was tried on August 10-13. This week, the Court issued its opinion in favor of University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and found that the firm’s client committed no negligence.

The medical malpractice case involved the treatment of an 8-month-old Down syndrome baby with an atrial septal defect and bilateral pneumonia. The care in question was delivered in the UMMC Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which is an outstanding unit, and the only facility of its kind in the state. At trial, the Plaintiff’s physician expert’s testimony was limited extensively due to the persuasive argument set forth in Daubert motions. During cross-examination, Mike forced the Plaintiff’s nursing expert to admit that her understanding of the records was not accurate, and thus, Mike was able to greatly diminish the impact of her testimony.

The trial team used the evidence, which Jennifer displayed via trial media to the Court, to convince the Court that no negligence occurred. The trial team is very proud of this win for UMMC, which is a beloved and long-time client.

Coleman, and trial team members, Malatesta, and Hawk, reside in the firm’s home office in Jackson, Mississippi. Mike concentrates his practice in the areas of medical malpractice defense, nursing home and long-term care defense, general insurance defense, bad faith insurance defense, and products liability defense. Jacob’s practice focuses medical malpractice claims against both hospitals and individual physicians, claims against municipalities and other governmental entities; and extra-contractual liability claims against insurers.

CASE NAME – Darrell Taylor, As Next Friend And Father Of Damari Taylor, A Mino vs. University of Mississippi Medical Center

FIRM NAME – Hagwood Adelman Tipton, PC

ATTORNEY/S – J. Michael Coleman, Founding Shareholder and Jacob O. Malatesta, Associate

CITY OF PRACTICE – Jackson, MS (Coleman and Malatesta)