Renee Richards
Ms. Richards’ practice focuses on professional liability defense with an emphasis on medical and psychiatric malpractice and patient privacy issues. Ms. Richards’ experience includes handling matters through mediation, arbitration and trial, as well as representing physicians in Medical Board investigations. In addition, Ms. Richards has extensive experience advising psychiatrists and physicians in virtually all areas of practice, on compliance with federal and state privacy laws, mandatory reporting requirements and issues related to the termination of patient care. Over the years she has litigated matters involving employment, product liability, psychiatric malpractice and privacy issues. Ms. Richards has advised physicians on HIPAA compliance and breach disclosure requirements, and has assisted health care providers with professional association peer review and investigations by the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Service.
- HASSARD BONNINGTON LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 1986-Present
- Alleged improper chemotherapy management: Decision in favor of defendant oncologist after three-day contractual arbitration. Plaintiff alleged oncologist improperly managed chemotherapy which caused an impaired blood supply to patient’s leg, requiring amputation. Arbitrators found oncologist met standard of care; 1999
- Alleged breach of Confidentiality of Medical Information Act: Defense verdict for psychiatrist in multi-defendant case involving employment, psychiatric and patient privacy issues. The case presented a matter of first impression on the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. It was tried to the trial court three times, went up on appeal twice, and finally resulted in a defense verdict for our client and the co-defendant psychiatrist; employer was found liable for monetary damages; 1992-1998
- Alleged failure of informed refusal: Wrongful death case alleging failure of informed refusal against internist working in the ED. Decedent was lucid in the ER and refused head CT scan after a fall. He died within 24 hours of complications from a brain bleed. Verdict for plaintiff after two-week trial; 1993
- Alleged psychiatric malpractice: Defense verdict for psychiatrist after five-week, multi-defendant trial. Plaintiff alleged psychiatric malpractice caused her psychotic break during an in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. Jury reached defense verdict for our client, and awarded damages against co-defendant hospital and psychiatrist; 1991
- Alleged negligent neck surgery: Defense verdict for surgeon after two-week trial. Plaintiff claimed surgery on a lymph node in her neck was performed negligently and caused an unsightly scar. Jury found surgery was indicated and appropriately done; 1990
- Alleged failure to timely diagnose and treat meningitis: Defense verdict for pediatrician after two-week trial. Plaintiff alleged failure to timely diagnose and treat meningitis in an eight-year-old boy which resulted in severe retardation. Jury found the defendant’s treatment had preceded the manifestation of meningitis and met the standard of care; 1989
EH v. UC Regents - Gender Affirming Care to Minor: Plaintiff, father of the youth, sued alleging the child was provided with a hormonal implant without his consent. Through two motions to dismiss in federal court, all of plaintiff's claims were eliminated. The appeal is pending. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants -2024.
QB v. SBH - Birth Injury with Brain Injuries Case: Patient, a twin, alleged significant birth injuries due to a prolapsed umbilical cord. Strategic low value settlement was achieved at mediation. Co-defendant proceeded to trial with large 8-figure verdict. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants through resolution -2024.
JD v. MESR - Alleged Sexual Assault at Massage Therapy Franchise: Patient alleged she was assaulted at a massage clinic. Discovery revealed no therapist matched the description of the alleged assailant and the case was dismissed for a nominal amount - Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution - 2024.
MP v. SH - Alleged Failure to Diagnose Bladder Cancer: Plaintiff alleged defendants failed to properly diagnose a kidney cyst as renal cell carcinoma. With a motion for summary judgment pending, plaintiffs agreed to dismiss SH for a waiver of costs at mediation. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
XC v. The Regents - Alleged Breach of Contract and Conversion of IVF Embryos: Plaintiff alleged The Regents wrongfully retained her embryos and refused to transfer them to another facility. Plaintiff's case was dismissed on demurrer. Following a successful appeal, plaintiff's case was again dismissed following a motion for terminating sanctions. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
MM v. The Regents – Premises Liability/Design Defect: Patient alleged she slipped and fell while a patient on the maternity ward due to a defective design. Complex motion for summary judgment granted based on governmental immunities – 2021
PL v. The Regents – Alleged Delay in Transfer of Stroke Patient: Patient was taken to a local hospital for signs of a stroke. The case was filed in federal court including allegations of violation of EMTALA, medical malpractice, NIED, dependent adult abuse, wrongful death and intentional misconduct. Contested motion to dismiss was granted in its entirety, ending the case. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal – 2021.
KRB v. SHC – Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiffs alleged negligent genetic counseling failed to identify that plaintiff child’s parents were both sickle cell anemia carriers. Plaintiff child was born with sickle cell anemia. Discovery revealed plaintiff mother’s knowledge of her status as a carrier of sickle cell anemia. Thereafter, the case resolved for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
AS v. SH - Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiff alleged defendant lab failed to identify the genetic marker for cystic fibrosis during prenatal testing, resulting in the birth of a child with severe cystic fibrosis. Plaintiff required very costly medication for life, had significant care needs and a relatively long life expectancy given advances in treatment for cystic fibrosis. Initial demand for $50 million. Experts were disclosed, key depositions taken and case was resolved for an amount in the low seven figures, a significant victory for the defense. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
CM v. SH - Wrongful Death – Failure to Diagnose Malaria: Plaintiff alleged defendant hospital and physician failed to diagnose malaria, leading to his discharge from the emergency department and death. Plaintiff sought and obtained a significant settlement from the treating emergency physician and proceeded with the case against the hospital. Days before trial, the case settled for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
GS v. SH - Severely Brain-Injured Child: Plaintiff mom and plaintiff child alleged medical negligence related to care and treatment plaintiff child received in the NICU. Plaintiff child had a PICC line placed for nutrition and medication administration. The PICC line migrated and caused a pericardial effusion. Plaintiff child’s heart stopped and he underwent a prolonged resuscitation until the pericardial effusion was identified and tapped. Plaintiff mom was brought up to the NICU while the code was in process and brought an NIED claim. The NIED claim was eliminated with a motion for summary adjudication. The plaintiff child had profound neurological injuries but also a significantly long life expectancy. A favorable settlement was reached following development of causation arguments related to placental pathology. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
EG v. The Regents: Plaintiff alleged negligent attempted placement of an epidural catheter prior to hernia surgery, leading to an epidural hematoma and lower extremity paralysis. Plaintiff was a high wage earner with no ability to work and a significant remaining work-life expectancy. Prior to trial, the case was presented to two mock juries, with opening statements, a few witness presentations and closing arguments presented to the mock juries. Expert depositions were underway when plaintiff passed away from unrelated causes. Co-lead attorney handling causation and damages experts – 2018.
- University of California Hastings College of the Law, J.D.
- Stanford University, B.A.
- Hastings Comm/Ent Law Journal, Member (1984-1985), Articles Editor (1985-1986)
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Lawyer Referral and Information Service Oversight Committee: 1987-present; Committee Chair 2006-2008; BASF Award of Merit for Services Committee Chair, 2008
- California Medical Association Amicus Committee, 2004-2014
- Editor, Chapter on Professional Liability, California Physician’s Legal Handbook (CMA Publication) 2013, 2015
Hassard Bonnington LLP
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