Keris, Matthew P

Matthew P. Keris has extensive experience in medical practice defense, having represented doctors, physician groups, hospitals, and regional health centers for over a decade. He concentrates his practice in medical malpractice, general liability (slip/fall), and auto defense work.

Matthew has handled hundreds of medical malpractice matters, both as an attorney and an adjuster, including the management of claims in the Philadelphia area.

He has represented a number of physicians, medical groups, and health care institutions in health care liability matters and provided advice and guidance in quality assurance, personnel, privacy, and health care records issues.

In one of the cases he handled, Matthew successfully argued that treating physicians' financial interests and earnings from litigation testimony should be presented for the jury's consideration.

He has successfully transferred cases to more conservative venues in medical malpractice actions based on forum non conveniens (inconvenient forum).

Through coordination of a gynecologic oncologist and a pathologist, Matthew facilitated a causation defense theory not entertained by prior counsel, which helped bring about a settlement for less than $250,000 where demand was once over $1 million.

In another case, after retaining a surgical specialist who had developed the procedure at issue as an expert, plaintiffs' counsel discontinued the action.

Matthew received his Bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law.

Prior to entering private practice, he served as a claims attorney with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Medical Professional Liability Catastrophe Loss Fund, managing several hundred Philadelphia area medical malpractice cases.

Matthew lectures extensively, both locally and nationally, on issues pertaining to medical malpractice through educational institutions including the National Constitution Center, Lorman Education Services, Stafford Legal Teleconferences, and Progressive Business Publications. He is recognized nationally for his expertise in electronic medical record issues, and has spoken for numerous organizations including the American Society for Health Risk Management; American College of Obstetrician/Gynecologists; Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association;  The Commonwealth Medical College; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania MCARE Fund; CPACHRM of Central Pennsylvania; Center for Health Training, NOR-PANPHA and the Hospital &  Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association; Cassatt Health System; and PMSLIC/NORCAL, and for publications including National Health Law Week, Hospital Litigation Reporter, and New York Health Law Update. He also advises medical institutions on the establishment of policies and procedures regarding responses to electronic discovery.Matthew is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the United States Middle District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Lackawanna County, and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Matthew is a coach for the Abington youth soccer, basketball, and baseball leagues.

Significant Representative Matters:

• Successfully argued that based on the clear reading of the Pennsylvania Certificate of Merit Rules, where a plaintiff bases his malpractice claim against a medical institution on vicarious liability grounds, i.e., allegations that other licensed professionals for whom the defendant is responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard, additional Certificates of Merit consistent with Pa.R.C.P 1042.3(a)(1) must be filed as to the other licensed professionals for whom the defendant is responsible, whether specifically named or unnamed in the complaint or caption of the complaint.