LaDonna L. Boeckman

Making the complex simple and understandable drives the way LaDonna L. Boeckman works with medical professionals and other clients in the healthcare industry. It’s also how she explains complex medical concepts to juries of lay people at trial. Drawing on her keen appreciation for research and leaving no stone unturned, she uses the information uncovered to shape the defense of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical providers and to craft a message to the triers of fact and law.

Clients who have worked with her appreciate the time and attention she spends preparing them to testify both at deposition and at trial. She crafts the message and defenses through deposition and eventually trial testimony to enhance the way in which she defends the lawsuit and secures favorable outcomes.

In addition to defending medical professionals and healthcare entities, Ms. Boeckman has experience defending toxic tort matters. She’s defended product and equipment manufacturers and workplace owners against exposure claims. In her role as a national coordinating counsel for companies subject to these claims, she helped craft the defense theory and message used in courthouses throughout the United States.

Education

• Drake University Law School, J.D., with honors, 1998
• Drake University, B.A. in English & History with Cultural Studies Concentration, magna cum laude,1995

LAW SCHOOL HONORS/INVOLVEMENT

• Drake Law Review
  • Notes Editor (1997-1998)
  • Moot Court Board (1996-1998)
• Drake Law Women
  • Vice President (1997-1998)
  • Executive Board (1996-1997)
• Drake Art Law Society (1997-1998)
  • Founding member
• Extern Law Clerk, Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer, Southern District of Iowa
• Phi Alpha Delta
  • Executive Board (1996-1997)

Admissions & Affiliations

• Illinois
• U.S. District Courts for the
  • Northern District of Illinois
  • Central District of Illinois
  • Southern District of Illinois

• Part of defense team that prevailed in obtaining decision from Illinois Supreme Court and Second District Appellate Court affirming constitutionality and scope of immunity provided by Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-19 for healthcare institutions and practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Obtained partial summary judgment of negligence claims on behalf of local hospital for claim patient developed wound, applying Executive Order 2020-19 and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
• Obtained dismissal of negligence counts for wrongful death actions against long-term care facility in multiple matters for residents contracting COVID-19; utilized Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-19.
• Obtained dismissal of willful and wanton counts for wrongful death actions against long-term care facility in multiple matters involving claims of wrongful death due to residents contracting COVID-19.
• Obtained summary judgment for hospital named as defendant for apparent agency in wrongful death action.
• Obtained dismissal of dentist in dental negligence action where patient claimed negligent application of dental veneers.
• Obtained dismissal of emergency medicine physician in medical malpractice action alleging injury following intubation of patient.
• Obtained defense verdict for emergency medicine physician in medical malpractice action alleging developmentally challenged woman was improperly discharged from emergency department, resulting in her sexual assault.
• Obtained defense verdict for premises owner when patron claimed automatic car wash caused damage to vehicle.
• Obtained dismissal of dental clinic defendant in dental negligence action alleging injury to sinus cavity during tooth extraction.

Honors & Awards

• Best Lawyers' list of “Ones to Watch” (2021-2025)
• Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for Outstanding Defense Verdict in a dental malpractice matter; awarded by Jury Verdict Reporter (2012)
• Completed International Association of Defense Counsel Trial College at Stanford University (2007)

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

• “The New Wound Care Regulations and How They May Impact the Defense of the Wound Case,” DRI Senior Living and Long-Term Care Litigation Seminar (Chicago IL, 2024)
• “Recent Developments in Forum Non Conveniens Law Applicable to Healthcare Providers,” IDC Developments Critical to Medical Malpractice Litigation Seminar (Chicago IL, 2024) (Co-presenter with HeplerBroom associate attorney)
• “Time for Good Behavior! Creating a Culture Free from Sexual Harassment,” Chicago Dental Society-Midwinter Conference (Chicago IL, 2022). (Co-presenter)

Blog Posts

Publications

• “At the End of ‘Sweet Nothing:’ Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Immunity for Health Care Facilities, Health Care Providers, and Health Care Volunteers as Part of Assistance with State’s COVID-19 Response,” Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Five Things to Know Issue 254 (December 13, 2024).

• “CMS Updates Guidance for MDS Assessment Part M Involving Skin: Is This a Light at the End of the Tunnel for Practitioners Defending Long-Term Care Facilities from Wound Claims?,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 34 No. 3 (2024).

• “Where Are We? Where are We Going? And What Does the Prudent Defense Counsel Do Now? Status of Immunity for Healthcare Workers and Institutions for Negligence Claims that Arose During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 34 No. 1 (2024).
• “Ancillary Concerns,” Chapter 15, IICLE medical malpractice publication (2022).
• “Thomas v. Khoury: Has the Illinois Appellate Court Expanded the Cause of Action and Damages for the Death of a Fetus,” IDC Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 4 (2020). (Co-author with HeplerBroom partner Tammera Banasek)
• “Bestowing the Key to Public Education: The Effects of Judicial Determinations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on Disabled and Nondisabled Students,” 46 Drake L. Rev. 855 (1998).