Dov Apfel was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and he was listed in Washingtonian Magazine as one of the top lawyers in the Washington area. He is known nationally as a "child advocate", who concentrates his practice in cerebral palsy and birth trauma litigation and obstetrical malpractice claims involving birth injuries and children with neurological and intellectual disabilities. Mr. Apfel is regularly contacted by families and lawyers throughout the United States to assist them with the evaluation of standard of care and causation issues that arise in cerebral palsy and birth trauma litigation and potential obstetrical malpractice claims.
Mr. Apfel has been specially admitted as co-counsel to assist lawyers with the litigation of cerebral palsy cases in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Mr. Apfel is the former chairperson of the Medical Negligence Section of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association and the former co-chair of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group of the American Association For Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Mr. Apfel is a frequent lecturer at national medical-legal conferences and he has published articles on many medical and legal topics, including Daubert and the use of expert testimony in cerebral palsy litigation, electronic fetal monitoring, hypoxia, ischemia, asphyxia, meconium stained amniotic fluid and meconium aspiration syndrome, maternal and fetal infection in pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, funisitis, antepartum fetal testing, placental pathology, vaginal birth after cesarean, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, trauma, forceps, vacuum extractors, shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus, and the clinical markers establishing a causal connection between birth asphyxia and cerebral palsy.
Medical Negligence: The case for national fetal monitoring standards, Trial Magazine, May, 2009.
Cerebral Palsy Litigation: Understanding Cytokines and the Infectious Pathways to Brain Damage in the Term Infant, AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Group Newsletter, January, 2008.
Settling the Cerebral Palsy Case, Trial Magazine, December, 2007.
Part II: Cerebral Palsy Litigation -- Understanding the Pathways to CP in the Term Infant, AAJ Professional Negligence Section Newsletter, Summer, 2007.
Part I: Cerebral Palsy Litigation -- Understanding the Pathways to CP in the Term Infant, AAJ Professional Negligence Section Newsletter, Spring, 2007.
Birth Asphyxia and Cerebral Palsy, Trial Magazine, January, 2007.
Using A Differential Diagnosis To Prove That Intrapartum Asphyxia Is A Significant Cause of Cerebral Palsy,
30 American Journal Of Trial Advocacy 89 (2006).
Proper Use of Apgar Scores, Trial Magazine, August, 2005.
Keeping "Junk Science" Out of Birth Injury Cases, The Advocate - Journal of Consumer Attorneys For Southern California, July 2005.
Keep Junk Science Out of Cerebral Palsy Cases, Trial Magazine, May, 2004.
Fetal Monitoring Mistakes and Their Catastrophic Consequences, Trial Magazine, August, 2003.
Derailing Daubert Motions in Obstetrical Cases, Trial Magazine, May, 2002.
Evaluating Obstetrical Cases: A Primer for the Trial Attorney
Prince Georges County Bar Bulletin, Fall 2002.
Using Electronic Fetal Monitoring Strips to Assess the
Quality of Care and the Timing of Delivery, ATLA Professional
Negligence Section Reporter, Summer 2001.
Evaluating Obstetrical Malpractice Cases: A Primer for the
Trial Attorney, MTLA Trial Reporter, Fall 2000.
Placental Pathology: Challenging the Causation Defenses,
Trial Magazine, May, 2000.
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: A Primer for the
Attorney, Trial Magazine, February, 2000.
A Legal Discussion on Medical Malpractice: What Pregnant
Women Should Know About Group B Streptococcal Infection, The
Montgomery County Sentinel, November 18, 1999.
A Legal Discussion on Medical Malpractice: Is Vaginal Birth
After Cesarean Safe?, The Montgomery County Sentinel,
October 28, 1999.
A Legal Discussion on Medical Malpractice: Can cerebral
palsy be prevented?, The Montgomery County Sentinel,
October 21, 1999.
Evaluating Birth Trauma Cases Involving Brain Injury in the
Premature Infant, ATLA Professional Negligence Law
Reporter, July 1999.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring: Criteria for Evaluating the
Quality and Timing of Intrapartum Care, ATLA Birth Trauma
Litigation Group Newsletter, June, 1999
Clinical Markers Establishing A Causal Relationship Between
Birth Asphyxia And Cerebral Palsy: A Primer For Trial Lawyers,
21 American Journal Of Trial Advocacy 1 (1997).
Premises Liability: Overcoming Defenses In Slip And Fall
Cases, Trial Magazine, January, 1997.
Maternal Infection In Pregnancy: Understanding The Medical
And Legal Issues, Trial Magazine, May 1996.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring, ATLA Professional Negligence
Law Reporter, November, 1995.
Asphyxia And Cerebral Palsy: Understanding The Medical And
Legal Issues, ATLA Birth Trauma Group Newsletter, June
1995.
Cervical And Lumbar Disc Injuries: Understanding The Medical
And Legal Issues, Trial Magazine, January, 1995.
Antepartum Evaluation Of Fetal Well-Being, Atla Birth
Trauma Group Newsletter, December, 1994.
Placental Pathology: A Tool In Obstetrical Cases, Trial
Magazine, May, 1994
Loss Of Chance In Obstetrical Cases, Trial Magazine,
May, 1993
Slip And Fall Cases: Some Practical Suggestions, Trial
Magazine, August, 1992.
Obstetrical Negligence In Managing Hypertension: Legal
Issues, Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy, October,
1992.
Obstetrical Negligence In Managing Hypertension: Medical
Issues, Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy,
September, 1992.
Obstetrical Malpractice: Hypertension In Pregnancy, Trial
Magazine, May, 1992.
Gag Orders, Exclusionary Orders, And Protective Orders:
Expanding The Use Of Preventive Remedies To Safeguard A Criminal
Defendant's Right To A Fair Trial, 29 AM. UNIV. L. REV.
439 (1980).
Obstetric Malpractice Program, Sponsored by The American Conference Institute, Philadelphia, June, 2009 Subject: Fetal Asphyxia: Causes and Prevention
ATLA Winter Conference. New Orleans, February, 2009 Subject: Analysis of the 2008 NICHD Fetal Monitoring Guidelines
New York State Judicial Seminars. Rye Brook, NY. August 28, 2008
"Medicine for Judges" Program: Subject: Keeping Junk Science Out of Cerebral Palsy Cases: Analysis of Criteria for Linking Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy
New York State Judicial Seminars. Rye Brook, NY. June 26, 2008
"Medicine for Judges" Program: Subject: Keeping Junk Science Out of Cerebral Palsy Cases: Analysis of Criteria for Linking Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy
Ohio Association for Justice -- Annual Medical Malpractice Educational Program, Columbus, Ohio, May, 2008 Subject: What's New in Electronic Fetal Monitoring?
New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association -- Annual Medical Malpractice Educational Program, The Best of the Best from Around the Country, Meadowlands, October, 2007 Subject: Perinatal Brain Injury.
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association -- Annual Medical Malpractice Educational Program, Baltimore, March, 2007 Subject: Using The Medical Literature To Rebut ACOG Publications.
Litigating Medical Negligence Cases: Updates and Techniques for Pretrial, Trial, and Settlement
Crystal City, Virginia, October, 2005 Subject: Closing Argument
ATLA Summer Conference. Boston, July, 2004 Subject: Keeping Junk Science out of Cerebral Palsy Cases: ACOG's Criteria on Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association Annual Medical Malpractice Educational Program, Baltimore, May, 2004 Subject: Keeping Junk Science out of Cerebral Palsy Cases: ACOG's Criteria on Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy
Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases, ATLA Program, Atlanta, February, 2004 Subject: Using the Medicine To Prove the Timing and Etiology of Irreversible Brain Damage
Co-Chairperson, Obstetric Malpractice Program, Sponsored by The American Conference Institute, Philadelphia, November, 2003 Subject: What's New In Obstetrical Malpractice and Placental Pathology
ATLA Summer Conference. San Francisco, July, 2003 Subject: Keeping Junk Science out of Cerebral Palsy Cases: ACOG's Criteria on Neonatal Encephalopathy and Cerebral Palsy
Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases ATLA Program, Atlanta, February, 2003 Subject: Using the Medicine to Make Your Case: Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Co-Chairperson, Birth Trauma Litigation Group Educational Program, Atlanta, July, 2002 Subject: Distinguishing Between Asphyxia and Stroke: The Timing of Brain Injury
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association Annual Medical Malpractice Educational Program, Baltimore, January, 2002 Subject: Using Electronic Fetal Monitoring to Assess the Quality of Care and the Timing of Injury.
ATLA Summer Conference. Montreal, July,
2001. Chairperson: Birth Trauma Litigation Group Educational
Program. Subjects: Maternal Infection in Pregnancy and
Cerebral Palsy, and The International Consensus Template and the
Criteria for Establishing a Link Between Birth Asphyxia and
Cerebral Palsy.
Chairperson: Birth Trauma Litigation Group Educational
Program, San Juan, Puerto Rico, January,
2000. Subject: Maternal Infection in Pregnancy and
Cerebral Palsy.
ATLA Summer Conference. San Francisco, July,
1999. Subject: Maternal Infection in Pregnancy and
Cerebral Palsy. Subject: Early Onset Neonatal Group B
Streptococcal Infection.
ATLA Summer Conference. Washington, DC, July,
1998 Subject: Prenatal Care and Review of the Medical
Chart.
Canadian Trial Lawyers Conference. Calgary, Canada, April,
1998 Subject: Placental Pathology: A Primer For Birth
Trauma Litigation.
Chairperson: Birth Trauma Group Educational Program, Maui,
Hawaii, February, 1998: Subject: The Timing And
Etiology Of Brain Injury In The Preterm Infant
ATLA Mid-Winter Conference, Maui, Hawaii, February, 1998
Subject: Antepartum Testing To Assess Fetal
Well-Being In The Preterm Infant.
ATLA Mega Seminar On Profound Brain Injury In The Infant,
West Palm Beach, Florida, January, 1998 Subject:
Placental Pathology: The Use Of Placental Findings To Prove Or
Negate Obstetrical Malpractice In Bad Baby Cases.
Ontario Trial Lawyers Conference, Toronto, Canada, June,
1996 Subject: Placental Pathology: The Use Of
Placental Findings To Prove Or Negate Obstetrical Malpractice In
Bad Baby Cases.
ATLA Summer Conference, New York, New York, July,
1995 Subject: What's New In Placental
Pathology? Subject: How To Cross-Examine A Defense
Placental Pathology Expert In Obstetrical Malpractice Cases.
Maryland Trial Lawyers Educational Program, February 10,
1995 Subject: The Use Of Demonstrative Evidence At
Trial In Automobile Tort Litigation.
ATLA Winter Conference, Maui, Hawaii, February
1995 Subject: Placental Pathology: The Use Of
Placental Findings To Prove Or Negate Obstetrical Malpractice In
Bad Baby Cases.
Placental Pathology Conferences Sponsored By The Armed
Forces Institute Of Pathology, Walter Reed Medical Center, 1991
And 1992. Subject: The Use Of Placental Findings To
Prove Or Negate Obstetrical Malpractice In Bad Baby
Cases.
Please Note:
This web site is not intended as legal advice on cerebral palsy, and is not a substitute for obtaining guidance from your own legal counsel about cerebral palsy litigation. It provides general educational information about the standards of care and causation issues that can arise in obstetrical malpractice and cerebral palsy litigation. Readers of the articles contained within this web site should not act upon the cerebral palsy information without first consulting with a lawyer who is experienced in evaluating and litigating cerebral palsy and obstetrical malpractice cases. Mr. Apfel is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. When Mr. Apfel is asked to participate in cerebral palsy
litigation filed in other states, he will associate with, and act as co-counsel with, an attorney licensed in that state who is familiar with the local laws and procedures.
