Joseph C. Gharrity

Joseph C. Gharrity 

Mr. Gharrity is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national invitation-only association of experienced trial lawyers and judges with considerable jury trial experience as lead trial counsel.  He is also a member of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and has participated on the Medical Malpractice Committee of the Association.  In addition to an impressive defense verdict jury trial record, he has assisted many physicians in obtaining successful resolution of Medical Board complaints.  He has notable skills in building positive relationships and developing rapport with clients and experts in difficult and stressful trial and litigation settings.

Mr. Gharrity is admitted to practice before all the Courts in California, Federal Courts including the US Supreme Court.  He has over 35 years’ experience successfully trying and arbitrating medical malpractice-professional liability cases in addition to negotiating many favorable settlements.  Since joining the firm in 1984, he has successfully defended many physicians, physician groups, hospitals and medical centers in civil litigation as well as Medical Board matters.  He is also a member of the firm’s Management Committee.

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  • HASSARD BONNINGTON LLP, San Francisco, CA
    Partner, 1984-Present

  • Alleged negligent anesthesia causing brachial plexus injury: Unanimous defense verdict in Alameda County Superior Court on behalf of anesthesiologist alleged to have negligently caused severe brachial plexopathy and loss of use of right upper extremity during regional anesthesia administration. 2017
    Alleged negligent care and treatment of accident victim: Unanimous defense verdict in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of physician involving issues of standard of care in claim alleging improper care and treatment of accident victim resulting in permanent injuries to pelvis, femur, knee and shoulder. 2011
    Alleged negligent techniques and positioning during thoracoscopic sympathectomy: Defense verdict in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of physician and other defendants in a claim alleging negligent techniques and positioning during thoracoscopic sympathectomy resulting in paraplegia. 2010
    Alleged negligence and lack of informed consent: Unanimous defense verdict in San Mateo County Superior Court on behalf of a physician which involved issues of standard of care and informed consent arising from management of a patient with severe pyelonephritis and sepsis due to a large staghorn calculus in her left kidney. 1997
    Alleged brain injury during an endoscopic sinus surgery: Unanimous defense verdict in San Francisco County Superior Court in a trial on behalf of a physician which involved issues of standard of care and informed consent as a result of alleged brain injury during an endoscopic sinus surgery. 1997 
    Alleged negligent endoscopic sinus surgery: Unanimous defense verdict in San Mateo County Superior Court on behalf of physician involving issues of standard of care and informed consent in a claim alleging loss of sense of smell and taste resulting from endoscopic sinus surgery. 1997 
    Alleged negligent psychiatric treatment resulting in the suicide: Defense verdict in a three-week trial in San Francisco County Superior Court on behalf of a physician in which the three minor children of decedent claimed negligent psychiatric treatment resulting in the suicide of the patient. 1997
    • UC Hastings College of Law, JD 1984
    • Northwestern University, BA 1981
    • Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, Medical Malpractice Committee
    • ABOTA
    • California Academy of Attorneys for Health Care Professionals
    • Trial Practice Defense Counsel for Mock Trials; UCSF Medical Center, Psychiatry and The Law Fellowship Program, 2005-Present.
    • Guest Trial Practice Judge; University of San Francisco Law School, 1995-2011.
    • Guest Instructor/Lecturer, “Psychiatry and the Law” Course, UCSF Medical Center, Langley Porter, Center for Occupational Psychiatry, 2002-2010.
    • Speaker, “Medication Error Reduction: A Strategy for Safe Practice,” Fresno Community Medical Centers Medical Staff Meetings, 2001.

  • Hassard Bonnington LLP
    111 Pine Street, Suite 1530
    San Francisco CA 94111
    Main (415) 288-9800
    Direct (415) 494-4099
    jcg@hassard.com

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