In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry interviews trial lawyers Brian Brown and E.J. Hammann from Brown and Baron in Baltimore, Maryland. They discuss a complex case involving the tragic death of 83-year-old Helen Hansford at Largo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The episode highlights their strategic legal maneuvers, including the successful exclusion of the defense's medical expert, and the compelling testimony that led to an $8.5 million verdict for Hansford’s estate

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Case Details:

In June 2020, when Helen first came to Largo Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Prince George’s County, she weighed 112 pounds. She had previously been hospitalized after a bad fall, so she needed around-the-clock care. Upon admission, it was noted that she was at risk for falls, pressure injuries (bed sores), malnutrition, and “failing to thrive” (unsafe weight loss and related complications).

By October, Helen’s weight was reported to be around 95 pounds. Months later, in January 2021, her weight had plummeted to just 81 pounds, which is about 72% of what it was before. Amid Helen’s weight loss crisis, Largo staff failed to put her back on the blood thinner medication that she needed after a surgery related to her fall. In February 2021, a blood clot went to her lungs and brain, causing her to pass away.

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Guest Bios:

E.J. Hammann

E.J. Hammann is a Partner and Trial Attorney at Brown & Barron. In her second year with the firm, E.J. was trial counsel in two cases obtaining $8 Million Plaintiffs’ verdicts (one for $8.5 Million and one for $8.3 Million). She has over 20 years’ experience working almost exclusively on medical malpractice cases. Her time defending doctors and hospital facilities, as well as knowledge gained working for medical malpractice insurance carriers, brings a depth of insight that benefits individuals who have been injured. As an experienced trial attorney, E.J. is committed to helping clients who face serious complications due to medical negligence or nursing home abuse.

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Brian Brown

Brian S. Brown, one of the firm’s founding partners, as well as its Managing Member, has over thirty years of experience as a trial lawyer and focuses his practice on litigating nursing home abuse and medical malpractice cases.

Brian has tried well over 100 tort cases and has obtained multiple multi-million dollar verdicts. Over his career, he has recovered more than $175 million for his clients, through both trial and settlement. In addition to his trial experience, Brian has extensive appellate experience, having appeared before the Maryland Court of Appeals twelve times, and the Court of Special Appeals more than fifty times. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, as well as in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Brian is currently a member of the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Brian has presented on legal topics in a variety of settings, including for the Inn of Court, and over ten times for HB Litigation Conferences. He has also presented to the entire bench of the Circuit Court of Baltimore City regarding the evolving law of expert testimony in Maryland.

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Links:

Facebook: Brown & Barron, LLC

LinkedIn: Brown & Barron, LLC; @Brian Brown; @Emily Hammann

Instagram: Brown.BarronLLC

Check out previous episodes and meet the GTP Team: Great Trials Podcast

Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com

Production Team:

Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production