Name: Robert T. Szostak
Item: Robert T. Szostak
Author: rszostak

Bio

ROBERT T. SZOSTAK, ESQUIRE
The Reiff Law Firm ! Two Penn Center – 1500 JFK Blvd., Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office: 215.246.9000 x2004 ! Mobile: 215.206.3666 ! E-mail: rszostak@reifflawfirm.com

TRIAL ATTORNEY

CURRICULUM VITAE

35 Years of Recognized Experience as a Highly Skilled and Accomplished Trial Lawyer Representing Victims of Catastrophic Injury and Death from initial client consult through appellate process with a reputation for delivering outstanding results through comprehensive professional dedication, integrity, intellect and resolve to maximize and win with genuine advocacy, personal and professional excellence, utmost ethical standards and a committed passion for leadership, successful service of others and the relentless pursuit of justice
AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Product Liability and Safety
• Medical Professional and Hospital Liability
• Workplace Injury
• Trucking and Motor Vehicle
• Amusement Park
• Landowner Liability
• Insurance Bad Faith
• Defamation

The Reiff Law Firm
Trial Attorney August, 2013 – Present

BIOGRAPHY

A
longstanding Philadelphia “Super Lawyer” with exceptional legal prowess and integrity, Bob Szostak has been representing victims of catastrophic injury and death for the last 29 years, attaining an impressive number of million-dollar resolutions, while staunchly advocating on behalf of his clients. As one family said: “He is the best attorney we have ever met or known.” Another client attributes the success of their case to “Bob’s diligent interrogation and masterful command of the facts of the case.” He is indeed a significant addition to a firm well-known for its high ethical standards, substantial settlements, and genuine commitment to the rights and well-being of its clients.

Mr. Szostak concentrates his practice in the area of complex civil litigation. He handles a wide range of legal cases: medical professional negligence, product liability, motor vehicle, premises liability, amusement park liability, construction/workplace injury, false imprisonment, insurance bad faith, fraud, defamation, and matters involving governmental immunity, highway design, explosion, traumatic brain injury and other forms of professional negligence. He has been lead trial or co-trial counsel in more than thirty-five jury trials. He is ranked in the top five percent of Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers by Philadelphia Magazine, and has maintained a “preeminent” AV Peer Review rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over ten years.

A graduate of Brown University and Widener University School of Law, Mr. Szostak often teaches classes and seminars for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and trial attorney associations in his practice areas. His numerous publications include “The Brave New World of the Medical Malpractice Litigation: Filing Suit”, “Maximizing Your Clients’ Recovery in Challenging Times: Proof of Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival Actions”, “Trying a Case in State Court – from File to Trial”, the “Medical Malpractice Update of the Law” and “Tincher v. Omega Flex, Inc. – The New Approach to Strict Liability”.

Mr. Szostak is admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the United States Supreme Court. He is an active member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Montgomery Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and the Attorneys Information Exchange Group. Mr. Szostak chaired the Philadelphia Bar Association State Civil Litigation Section for three years, and he served on its Board of Governors and Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention. He also devotes his time and talents to La Salle College High School as an Alumni Trustee and to Brown University.

Outside of the world of law, Bob Szostak enjoys a balance of family time with his wife, sons, personal fitness, reading, movies, music, and various outdoor activities. He served as the head of the Penn Parents’ Football Network. Mr. Szostak approaches law and life with sustained dedication, passion and integrity, a commitment to excellence, and a spirit of service and leadership to others. Mr. Szostak has the reputation as a consummate professional and a true “Philadelphia Lawyer”.
• Recent Verdicts/Settlements:

• Agosto v. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment LLC ($995,200 verdict against Sesame Place for negligent safety policies in permitting and not precluding rubber water shoes on body water slides, resulting in serious ankle fracture to patron whose rubber shoe caught side of slide, abruptly snapping the ankle)
• Ruhf V. Petro, Inc. (Seven figure settlement won for pedestrian struck in crosswalk by commercial vehicle)
• Robinson, et al. v. Fiat North America, LLC (High seven figure mediated settlement for multiple parties injured or killed due to defective passenger van rollover)
• Parayko v. Loomis Armored US, Inc. (Mid-seven figure settlement for brain injured motorist)
• Woutersz v. Delgado (Major recovery for brain injured motorist with post-traumatic stroke complications)
• Rykowski v. Dann (Mid-six figure settlement for pedestrian struck in crosswalk)

Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg and
Gifford, P. C.
Trial Attorney March, 2008 – August, 2013

$ Catastrophic injury trial attorney and advocate for injured victims in all forms of civil litigation

$ Goepfert v. Steinrock and Clemens Family Corporation (Seven figure maximum settlement for trucker catastrophically injured by an underinsured automobile driver)
$ Christman v. Office Depot (Substantial settlement won in a Berks County slip and fall case)
$ Storey v. Yellow Trucking (Six figure settlement for bicyclist injured in Haz-Mat truck spill)
$ Yang v. Raymour & Flannigan, Lay-Z-Boy and Lea Industries, Inc. (Major accord for child injured by defective furniture tip-over, resulting in worldwide change in industry safety practice and protocol)
$ Henry v. Allied Concrete and Lockhead (Substantial settlement in construction case involving negligent operation of a cement truck)
$ Clark v. Wal-Mart and SR Suntour (Major recovery for bicyclist arising from product defect/negligent assembly)
$ Lees Estate v. Lower Salford Township (Significant recovery limited by immunity statute in sledding accident death case)

Kornblau & Kornblau, P.C.
Trial Attorney July, 2004 - March, 2008

$ Accomplished trial and appellate advocate in catastrophic civil litigation matters, including:

$ Gawrys v. Metzger (Major settlement for negligent orthopedic surgery)
$ Godshall v. Bush and Grand View Hospital ($4.375 million Bucks County jury verdict for 87 year old who suffered permanent brain damage due to emergency medicine negligence, molded to $7,817,345 to reflect addition of delay damages)
$ Straff v. Sackstein (High six figure settlement arising from negligent cervical nerve root injection procedure)
$ Shaughnessey v. Habboushe (Mid-six figure settlement for failure to diagnose and treat hypertriglyceridemia resulting in acute pancreatitis)
$ Mack v. Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement (High six figure settlement for negligent management of security operation causing sleep deprivation of unsupervised guards leading to fatal motor vehicle accident)
$ Walker v. Health Partners (HMO liability for failure to provide benefits resulting in a delay in treatment and death)
$ Combs v. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Seven figure settlement arising from a botched code)
$ Newcomb v. Yavorek (Substantial settlement of severe birth trauma case arising from negligent delivery producing profound injury and death)

M. Mark Mendel, Ltd.
Trial Attorney March, 1985 - July, 2004

$ Highly successful in a multitude of significant cases involving a wide array of legal disciplines, including specifically:

$ Edgehill v. Municipal Publications, Inc. (Multi-million dollar recovery in landmark libel case against Philadelphia Magazine)
$ Pavlo v. Chester County Hospital (Radiographic, neurosurgical and Corporate Negligence)
$ Pressley v. HUP (Seven figure recovery for RSD injury from radiographic negligence)
$ Witkin v. Delaware Valley Orthopedic and Spine Center (Injunctive split up of physician practice)
$ Hite v. Altoona Hospital (Punitive damages: multi-million dollar settlement)
$ Chodoff, M.D. v. PMSLIC (Insurance discrimination case)
$ DiMattia v. Morey=s Pier (Amusement park forced to tear down three rides and to completely change all safety and reporting practices and policies with substantial recovery to injured rider of AJumbo Jet@)
$ Callan v. Bowen, M.D. (Multi-million dollar settlement for negligent spinal injection resulting in paraplegia)
$ Briglio v. Katz, M.D. (Substantial settlement arising from negligent colon surgery)
$ Donohoe v. CHOP (Nursing negligence causing permanent injury to child in ALL remission resulting in significant settlement)
$ Strickland v. Albany Medical Center (Multi-million dollar outcome for ski accident patient brain injured during radiographic procedure covered-up by hospital)
$ Karalis v. Delaware County Times (Public figure libel case where six figure settlement offered after court ordered pre-complaint discovery)
$ Johnson v. HUP (Multi-million dollar settlement for closed head injuries caused by morphine overdose covered-up by hospital)
$ Jann v. Stein, M.D. (Million dollar+ settlement for misdiagnosis causing blindness)
$ Cannon v. Montgomery Hospital (Construction accident case with six figure outcome)
$ Enright v. Werner Co. (Defective ladder causing serious ankle fracture resulting in significant settlement)
$ Estates of Twyman/Johnson v. PennDot (Motor vehicle accident caused by highway construction negligence resulting in million dollar+ settlement)
$ Estate of Kaman v. Rolling Hill Hospital (ER misdiagnosis resulting in death and multi-million dollar outcome)
$ Estate of Martin v. HUH (Negligent heart procedure resulting in significant settlement)
$ Estate of Wolf v. JWS Technologies, Inc. (Product defect explosion case resulting in substantial settlement for surviving parents)
$ Gilliard v. Smucker Landscaping (Million Dollar+ case for traumatic brain injury and catastrophic cognitive impairment from pedestrian/commercial vehicle case)
$ Ornsteen v. Fox, Rothchild (Attorney split-up)
$ Hart v. LaBrum & Doak (Attorney split-up)
$ Gross v. Sklar (Attorney split-up)
$ American Independent Insurance Company v. Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish & Kauffman (Enron-like case against law firm and accounting firm resulting in multi-million dollar outcome)

$ Small v. Provident Life and Accident Insurance Companies (Largest Pennsylvania settlement against Provident for bad faith following discovery war resulting in unprecedented court ordered disclosure of all internal documents)
$ Woodring adv. Main Line Health v. Main Line Health (Staff privileges case)
$ Gloyd v. Wanamaker (False imprisonment/assault case resulting in maximum punitive award and complete overhaul of security procedures)
$ Rappaport v. Stein (Celebrated commercial fraud/contract case)

Stephen M. Feldman, P.C.
Trial Attorney July, 1984 - January, 1985

$ Developed many complex civil cases for trial by Mr. Feldman

$ Managed and conducted all pre-trial phases of catastrophic medical malpractice, landowner liability and product liability cases

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Honorable Stephen J. McEwen, Jr.
Law Clerk September, 1982 - June, 1984

$ Analyzed, researched and assisted in the composition of numerous appellate opinions and orders

$ Reviewed opinions by other Superior Court Judges for voting purposes

$ Gained invaluable insight into the appellate process and judiciary

$ Facilitated appellate motion process

$ Coordinated communication among judicial panels and law clerks
Bluestein, Prusky & Susman, P.C.
Assistant Supervisor December, 1976 - August, 1981

$ Researched, designed, drafted, implemented and administered qualified pension and profit sharing plans and trusts, assuring ERISA compliance, involving trust accounting and IRS, DOL, and PBGC Representation for over 400 corporate clients

BAR ADMISSIONS

Supreme Court of the United States - May, 2003

Pennsylvania - November, 1982 (State and Federal Courts)

New Jersey - December, 1983 (State and Federal Courts)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS

Attorneys Information Exchange Group

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Pennsylvania Association for Justice

Philadelphia Bar Association

Montgomery Bar Association

Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association

APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

Philadelphia Bar Association

$ Board of Governors (2011 - 2012)
$ Chairman - State Civil Litigation Section (2010 - 2013)
$ Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention (2010-2012)
$ State Civil Litigation Section - Executive Committee (2004 - 2013)
$ Chancellor=s Task Force - State Civil Litigation Section (2004)
$ Chairman: Rules & Procedure Committee (2004 - 2007)
$ Chairman: Medical Legal Committee (2002 - 2004)

Montgomery Bar Association

$ Trial Lawyers Section (2008 - Present)
$ Rules of Civil Court Committee (2008 - Present)
$ Medical Legal Committee (2008 - Present)
$ Bench Bar Committee (2010 - Present)

La Salle College High School Alumni Association (12,000 Members)

$ Trustee (2005 - Present)
$ President (2004-2005)
$ Board Member (1996 - Present)
$ Vice-President (2000 - June, 2004)

La Salle College High School Capital Campaigns

$ Fulfilling the Promise: Assisted in raising $25 Million as Class Captain (2010 -2012)
$ Forever La Salle: Facilitated Alumni Phase of Raising a $10 Million Endowment, Building and Enrichment Fund (2000 - 2002)
$ Founders Club Member (2006 - Present)

Brown Alumni Schools Committee Representative (1976 - Present)

Committee to Benefit the Children of St. Christopher=s Hospital (2000 - Present)

EDUCATION

The Delaware Law School of Widener University Juris Doctor, May 1982

Class Standing: Top 2%
Law Review
Highest Grade: Constitutional Law; Wills & Trusts; Federal Courts
National Moot Court
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Brown University Bachelor of Arts, June 1976

Major: Psychology/Biology
Member: Varsity Football Team

La Salle College High School Graduated, June 1972

Class Salutatorian Varsity Football (Team Captain)
Class Standing: Top 1% Varsity Wrestling
Theater Track and Field

HONORS and AWARDS

Pennsylvania ASuper Lawyer@ Top 5% Statewide (2008 - Present)

Martindale-Hubbell7 - AVJ
Peer Review Rated Preeminent in the Profession (2002 -Present)

The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2013-Present)

PUBLISHED WORKS

New Med-Mal Law: Analysis of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act - Act No. 2002-13, Barrister (Cover Article), PATLA, July, 2002

Pa. Supreme Court Promulgates Federal Rule 11 Equivalent, PATLA News, July, Vol. XVI, No. 5, 2002

Expert Witness Qualifications Under the Certificate of Merit Rules, Section 512 of the Mcare Act and the Same Subspeciality Defense, Barrister, PATLA, May, Vol. XVII, No. 2, 2003

Jury Instructions: How to Ace the Charge Conference - General Considerations, PATLA, Dec. 12, 2003

Medical Malpractice - 2004 State of the Law, PATLA, January 15, 2004

The Nuts and Bolts of the Medical Malpractice Case - Filing Suit, PBI, No. 2004-3600
Medical Professional Liability Workshop, PaTLA Annual Convention, No. 326-2004, July, 2004

The Nuts and Bolts of the Medical Malpractice Case - Filing Suit, PBI, April 27, No. 2006-4247

The Verdict - Cross Examination in the Medical Malpractice Case, Philadelphia Bar Association State Civil Litigation Section Bench-Bar, PBI, September, 2006

Brave New World of Medical Malpractice Litigation - Taking the Case and Filing Suit, PBI, July 23, 2008

Current Issues In Medical Malpractice, PBI, November, 2008

Maximizing Your Client's Recovery in Challenging Times - Proof of Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival Actions, PBI, June, 2009

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: Legal Evaluation of a Medical Professional Liability Case, Montgomery Bar Association and Montgomery County Medical Society, Abington Memorial Hospital, October, 2010

Trying a Case in State Court (From Start to Finish), PBI, June, 2012

Five-County Civil Court Perspectives from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Supervising Judges and Court Administrators: Introduction, Case Management from Filing to Trial, Discovery Practice, Frivolous Litigation Rules, Uniform Local Rules, JPT/ADR/Settlement Master Programs, Best/Worst Practices in Court, Future of the Courts, Closing Remarks (Relationships, Civility and Justice), PBI, Philadelphia Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, November, 2012

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: There Are No Frivolous Lawsuits, Montgomery Bar Association and Montgomery County Medical Society, Einstein Hospital Montgomery, November, 2012

Medical Malpractice Update: 2012/2013 Case Law Update - The Year in Review, PBI, March, 2013

Tincher v. Omega Flex, Inc. – The New Approach to Strict Liability in the Post-Azzarello Paradigm, PBI, March, 2015

LECTURES/SEMINARS

Jury Instructions: How to Ace the Charge Conference - General Considerations PaTLA, 2003

Medical Malpractice - 2004 State of the Law, PTLA

The Nuts and Bolts of Medical Malpractice Case - Filing Suit, PBI, No. 2004-3600
Medical Professional Liability Workshop, PaTLA Annual Convention, July 2004, No. 326-2004

The Nuts and Bolts of Medical Malpractice Case - Filing Suit, PBI, April 27, 2006 No. 2006-4247, 2006

The Verdict - Cross Examination in the Medical Malpractice Case, Philadelphia Bar Association State Civil Litigation Section Bench-Bar, PBI, September, 2006

Brave New World of Medical Malpractice Litigation - Taking the Case and Filing Suit, PBI, July 23, 2008

Maximizing Your Client's Recovery in Challenging Times - Proof of Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival Actions, PBI, June 23, 2009

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: Legal Evaluation of a Medical Professional Liability Case, Montgomery Bar Association and Montgomery County Medical Society, Abington Memorial Hospital, October, 2010

The Philadelphia Judge Pro Tem Program: A Fresh Perspective On What It Takes To Appear Before a JPT, PBI, Philadelphia Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, October, 2010

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Medicare Liens and Medicaid Liens But Continue To Be Afraid To Ask, Moderator, Philadelphia Bar Association State Civil Litigation Section, March, 2011

Act 17 - De Facto Abolition of Joint and Several Liability in Pennsylvania, Moderator, Philadelphia Bar Association State Civil Litigation Section, September, 2011

Trying a Case in State Court (From Start to Finish), PBI, June, 2012

Five-County Court Perspectives, PBI, Philadelphia Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, October, 2012

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: There Are No Frivolous Lawsuits, Montgomery Bar Association and Montgomery County Medical Society, Einstein Hospital Montgomery, November, 2012

Medical Malpractice Update: 2012/2013 Case Law Update - The Year in Review, PBI, March, 2013

Tincher v. Omega Flex, Inc. – The New Approach to Strict Liability in the Post-Azzarello Paradigm, PBI, March, 2015

March, 2019

Robert T. Szostak

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