Over 3 Decades Of Experience With Medical Malpractice Cases On Your Side.
I have been an attorney for over 37 years and a medical negligence trial lawyer for most of my career. My multi-state practice only accepts medical malpractice cases. My prior experience defending malpractice cases filed against the government and later, defending physicans and prestigious medical centers, such as The Cleveland Clinic in malpractice cases, provides me a unique perspective now in litigating medical negligence cases on behalf of severely injured patients and/or their loved ones. I have concentrated at times on birth injury cases, as you can see from my publication titles and listings, however, I handle all areas of medical negligence injury and wrongful death trial work including malpractice cases against physicians, specialists, hospitals, nurses, therapists and nursing homes. One of my prior positions was as the lead Pentagon attorney handling the defense of medical malpractice cases related to medical care at Army hospitals and clinics. Therefore, the handling of malpractice cases filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act involving substandard care and treatment at military and VA medical centers evolved into another area of emphasis in my trial practice. My current licensing, in good standing in SEVEN states, helps to provide a broad base of experience across numerous state lines. In those states where I do not have a current license, I can often make a special appearance "pro hac vice" by virtue of my experience as a medical malpractice litigator and prosecute the action (in conjuction with local counsel) as first chair. I am honored to be among those successful attorneys qualifying for selection into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, based upon large settlements or verdicts in past cases.
Practice areas
Birth injury and all other types of medical/hospital malpractice.
38 years
Languages spoken
English
Sumner Medical Law
333 N. Wilmot Rd.
Suite 340
Tucson, AZ, 85711
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
AZ | Active | 2011 | 11/28/2020 |
SC | Good Standing | 2005 | 12/29/2020 |
GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 1999 | 12/21/2020 |
MD | Active | 1995 | 12/30/2020 |
PA | Active | 1995 | 01/02/2021 |
OH | Active | 1986 | 10/19/2020 |
AR | Active | 1978 | 01/07/2021 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2016 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2015 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2014 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2013 |
Top Lawyers | Main Line Today Magazine | 2012 |
---|---|---|
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2012 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2011 |
Million Dollar Advocates Forum | Trial Lawyers | 2000 |
Meritorious Service Award (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) | United States Army JAGC | 1985 |
Top 3% of law school class | University of Arkansas School of Law | 1978 |
Associate Editor | Arkansas Law Review | 1977 |
Who's Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges | Who's Who | 1975 |
Bradbury Political Science Award | Bradbury Political Science Award (highest GPA) | 1975 |
Magna Cum Laude graduate | Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas | 1975 |
Outstanding Army ROTC Cadet Award | U.S. Army (Hardin-Simmons University) | 1974 |
Outstanding Army ROTC Cadet Award | U.S. Army (University of Arkansas) | 1973 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Sumner Medical Law | 1999 - Present |
Adjunct Faculty Critiquer | NITA Sponsored Programs | 2000 - 2003 |
Special Attorney | Tort Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice | 1985 - 1986 |
Federal Tort Claims Trial Attorney | US Army JAG Corps | 1984 - 1986 |
Rotating Instructor | Office of U.S. Attorney General | 1984 - 1986 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Arizona Association for Justice (Trial Lawyers) | Member | 2016 - Present |
State Bar of Arizona | Member | 2011 - Present |
South Carolina Association for Justice (Trial Lawyers) | Member | 2005 - Present |
South Carolina Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
Pennsylvania Association For Justice (Trial Lawyers) | Member | 1999 - Present |
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 1999 - Present |
---|---|---|
State Bar of Georgia | Member | 1999 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association | Member | 1995 - Present |
Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member | 1995 - Present |
Ohio State Bar Association | Member | 1986 - Present |
Arkansas Bar Association | Member | 1978 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Chorionic Villus Sampling: Pro's, Con's and Alternatives" | 1994 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "How to Locate Credible Experts" | 1991 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Screening Plaintiff Malpractice Cases" | 1991 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Proof of Brain Injury in Obstetcrical Malpractice Cases" | 1989 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Deposing the Medical Expert" | 1987 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Fetal Heart Monitoring" | 1986 |
---|---|---|
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Apgar Scores in Infant Cases" | 1986 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Obstetrical Malpractice Glossary" (Issue Insert) | 1986 |
Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy | "Evaluating the Meconium Staining Case" | 1985 |
Arkansas Law Review | Associate Editor | 1978 |
Medical Malpractice Law and Strategy | Contributing Editor | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law | J.D. (with honors) | 1978 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (Philadelphia chapter) | Evaluation of the Obstetrical Malpractice Case | 2000 |
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Sun Mar 20 2016
Posted by Lori
Wed Mar 16 2016
Posted by Nicole
Tue Mar 29 2016
Ashby Davis, Medical malpractice Attorney on Aug 11, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Dave is an outstanding trial lawyer who is one of the best prepared attorneys I have met in 30 years of defending med. mal. cases. He possesses the very highest integrity and professionalism. He is an ardent advocate for his clients, and has the ability to honestly assess the merits of his cases. He is always extremely well prepared and engages opposing counsel in a professional and personal manner without ever compromising his own position as an advocate. He has earned my deepest respect and friendship.
Andrew Venturelli, Medical malpractice Attorney on Aug 4, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. David is one of the finest medical malpractice attorneys with a multi state practice. He is known for his zealous representation, highest ethics, and proven results.
Chuck Pardue, Medical malpractice Attorney on Jul 1, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I strongly endorse this lawyer's work. I have worked David Sumner on various medical malpractice cases for over 15 years. David has an excellent grasp of complex medical issues and has medical resources and many physician contacts that enable David to receive many referrals and associations on cases by other medical malpractice attorneys. David is highly ethical and is very respected by co-counsel and opposing counsel.