Janet M. Simpson (Retired)

Janet practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense and corporate health care law. She is involved in the management, strategy and coordination of the defense of hospitals, nurses, physicians and other health care providers throughout the states of Kansas and Missouri. Janet’s experience in medical malpractice litigation spans a number of legal and medical issues that concern all health care providers. Janet also advises several medical trade associations as general counsel. As a former board certified nurse anesthetist, Janet has an in-depth understanding of both the legal, medical and practical issues involved in defending health care providers. Janet also provides risk assessment and risk avoidance counseling to her corporate and health care clients.

News and Publications

Janet conducted a seminar before the Kansas Association of Risk and Quality Managers at a statewide meeting in Wichita in Fall 2008. She discussed innovative approaches to claim evaluation and resolution strategies.

Noteworthy Cases

Werth v. Trump

Plaintiffs challenged the confidentiality of peer review and risk management documents, attempting to force the hospital to produce these privileged materials. The issue was briefed and argued, and the district court conducted an in camera inspection of the documents. The Court determined that none of the documents were discoverable.

Rios v. Welch

Federal court trial resulted in defense verdict. On appeal, the Court upheld a limitation placed on plaintiff’s expert’s testimony, which had been altered after defendant filed a motion for partial summary judgment.

Schuler v. Atchison Hospital, et al.

Defense verdict at trial. Plaintiff alleged failure to provide tPA to a stroke patient in the emergency department. Patient had substantial residual paraplegia and altered mental status after recovery from the stroke.