Warren Webster
Mr. Webster has an extensive and wide ranging litigation background. In addition to defending medical malpractice and professional liability actions in state and federal courts, he also represents clients in business and other significant litigation matters. Mr. Webster has successfully defended numerous physicians, physician groups, hospitals and other health care professionals in complex civil litigation and administrative matters and represents individuals and public entities in state and federal courts in a variety of litigation matters. He is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts.
- HASSARD BONNINGTON LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, - HANSON BRIDGETT LLP, San Francisco, CA
Associate, 2004-2008; Senior Counsel, 2009-2012
- 2021, Alleged Delay in Diagnosis of Brain Tumor. 12-0 defense verdict during Phase I of trial based on a statute of limitations defense. Plaintiff alleged he was not aware of the connection between his recurrent brain tumor and defendant neurologist’s care and treatment.
- 2015, Alleged negligent hospitalist management. Defense verdict on behalf of hospitalist in a claim of negligence care provided during hospitalization, including an infection following an intravenous line placement, ultimately progressing to osteomyelitis causing destruction to a level of the spine.
- 2012, Asylum secured in federal immigration court. Lead trial counsel (leading two associates) in federal immigration proceeding to determine final petition for asylum for client. Succeeded in securing asylum for client.
- 2011, Class action, Defense judgment, upheld on appeal. Multi-year class action case. Title VI and California Government Code multi -year class action case alleging racially discriminatory funding practices, defended a regional planning body that was responsible for allocating approximately $1 billion in state and federal transportation funds. The case was tried to a defense verdict in the Northern District of California and the successful result was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit in Darensburg v. MTC, 636 F.3d 511 (9th Cir. 2011).
- 2011, Product Liability, $1.2M plaintiff verdict. Represented nursing home plaintiff in products liability, indemnity and contribution action. Obtained over $1 million representing nursing home plaintiff in products liability, indemnity and contribution action by securing plaintiff verdict against one defendant and successfully settled with two other defendants during trial.
- 2008, Alleged neglect by Nurse Practitioner in OAH Hearing. As lead trial counsel/solo attorney in an administrative trial prosecuted by the California Attorney General on behalf of the Nursing Board of California, successfully defended a nurse practitioner against allegation of neglect leading to patient death. Originally, the Board adopted the administrative law judge’s decision in favor of our client, but later reversed its decision based on petition for reconsideration by the Attorney General. We brought a successful writ petition in which the superior court held that the Board failed to comply with the applicable procedural statue and abused its discretion in reversing its original decision. Ultimately, the original decision recommended by the administrative law judge, exonerating our client, was adopted.
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.
- Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, J.D.
- The University of Colorado, Boulder, B.A., Psychology
- E: Discovery: 5 Custodians and 5 Search Terms: A Step Toward the Responsible Use of E-Discovery, Inside Counsel, December 1, 2011.
http://www.insidecounsel.com/2011/12/01/e-discovery-5-custodians-and-5-search-terms - Untangling The Web: Reconciling and Deciphering the New and Proposed State Laws Introduced in the Wake of Children’s Products Recalls, DRI Product Liability Conference, 2009. (co-author, presentation)
- DNA Database Statutes and Privacy in the Information Age, Note, 10 Health Matrix Journal of Law & Medicine 119 (2000)http://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1545&context=healthmatrix
- Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services (2010)
- Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services (2011)
- Board of Directors at Legal Aid of Marin (2012-2015)
Hassard Bonnington LLP
111 Pine Street, Suite 1530
San Francisco CA 94111
Main (415) 288-9800
Direct (415) 690-2740