Douglas Lee Burdette is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. His skills have been recognized by his peers as a “Super Lawyer” in Washington Law & Politics. He graduated with honors from St. Louis University School of Law in 1980, following eight years in the business world. After graduation, he served on the adjunct faculty of the law school, and began the private practice of law. Mr. Burdette is admitted to practice in the states of Washington, Missouri and Illinois, and before the federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Mr. Burdette limits his practice to civil litigation. Presently, Mr. Burdette’s practice focuses on medical malpractice, product liability and other substantial personal injury cases. Mr. Burdette has also been involved in multi-district and class action litigation, and has represented diverse business interests in the following types of cases: lender liability; RICO; fraud; insurance coverage; partnership dissolution; shareholder derivative actions; trademark infringement; product liability and admiralty. Mr. Burdette also has extensive experience litigating and mediating property disputes. In addition, he serves as outside counsel to a number of businesses for which he primarily provides advice on litigation avoidance.
Representative Medical Malpractice Cases
- Brain damage to fetus when mother involved in auto accident. Settlement: $3,250,000.
- Brain damage to 18 month old child when doctor and paramedics failed to control seizures and botched intubation. Settlement: $1,750,000.
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (paralysis) caused by Swine Flu Vaccine. Judgment by federal judge: $1,300,000.
- Paraplegia resulting from failure to prevent spinal cord swelling. Settlement during trial: $1,200,000.
- Loss of kidney as a result of surgeon inadvertently placing hemoclip on renal artery. Jury verdict: $750,000.
- Death following failure to diagnose Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. $625,000.
- Uterine hyperstimulation and death of fetus following failure to monitor effects of Prostaglandin E2 gel. $550,000.
- Minor brain damage to fetus when anesthesiologist improperly intubated mother, causing her to aspirate vomit. Settlement during trial: $450,000.
- Addiction and emotional distress after doctor prescribed IV Demerol for headaches. $312,500.
- Volkmann’s Contracture after improper casting of child’s broken arm. $250,000.
- Failure to diagnose testicular torsion. $250,000.
- Adhesions and additional surgery required after Laparotomy Sponge left in abdominal cavity. $250,000.
- Obstruction of urethra and scarring caused by doctor’s careless Labial Reduction. $200,000.
- Additional surgery to remove Suture Needle left in patient’s body. $100,000.
- Suicide after doctor improperly prescribed Nortriptyline to alcoholic. $100,000.
- Shortened lifespan from cancer after doctor ignored PSA test results. $100,000.
- Unnecessary open heart surgery for misdiagnosis of Patent Foramen Ovale.
Representative Product Liability Cases
- Disability caused by failure of Artificial Hip. $350,000.
- Disability caused by failure of Artificial Hip; class action settlement. $160,000 per client.
- Amputation of finger caused by defective Radial Arm Saw. $152,000.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome caused by defective tampons. (substantial confidential settlement)
- Defective Breast Implants; class action settlement.
- Death when Cherry Picker capsized
Other Representative Injury Cases
- Burns from cooking oil in restaurant kitchen. $450,000.
- Burns from explosion of fuel tank. $400,000.
- Minor brain damage when truck collided with car. $300,000.
- Welder falls when gangway falls away from ship resulting in broken ankle. $150,000.
- Ex-boyfriend stalked client. $150,000.
- Woman fell because McDonald’s failed to provide handrail. $100,000.
- Passenger’s leg caught in Metro bus door (substantial confidential settlement).
- Amputation when hand pulled through fishing gear pulley.
- Death from Black Lung Disease
