Heather N. Ellison

3975 Fair Ridge Dr., Suite 475 South
Fairfax, VA 22033
Phone (703) 591-3440
Fax (703) 591-7646
Email: hellison@hdjn.com

Heather N. Ellison is an associate in the firm. Her practice is primarily directed to the representation of healthcare providers in the defense of professional liability litigation. Ms. Ellison’s clients include hospitals, nurses, dentists, oral surgeons, physician groups, and physicians in a wide variety of specialties. Ms. Ellison has extensive experience in defending healthcare providers in professional liability litigation in the jurisdictions of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

In January 2007, Ms. Ellison was recognized in Virginia Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in the area of medical malpractice defense.

Ms. Ellison has litigated cases involving a wide variety of issues, including the following: asphyxia, brain stem herniation, birth related neurological injuries, brachial plexus injuries, breast cancer, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, cardiovascular disease, decubitis ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, dementia, depression, eclampsia, epidural hematoma, falls, femoral block, gestational diabetes, informed consent, internal hemorrhage, hip fractures, hypotension, lung cancer, Lyme’s disease, over medication, paralysis, patient confidentiality, plastic surgery, preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, prostate cancer, pulmonary embolus, sarcoidosis, sepsis, shoulder dystocia, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, stillbirth, subdural hematoma, suicide, supraventricular tachycardia, toxemia, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and wisdom tooth extraction.

In addition to trial advocacy, Ms. Ellison provides risk management and general health care law counsel to her clients.

SECTION
Civil Litigation

PRACTICE AREAS
Medical Malpractice Defense
Dental Malpractice Defense
Hospital Risk Management
Department of Health Professions Investigations/Disputes

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, J.D.
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
B.A. in Government & Politics, Magna Cum Laude

HEALTH CARE CLIENTS BY SPECIALTY
Facilities
Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Psychiatric/Addiction Treatment Facilities
Physicians
Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Pediatrics, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, and Psychology
Nurses
Anesthesiology, Emergency Department, ICU, Labor and Delivery, NICU, Psychiatric Unit and Telemetry

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Virginia State Bar
Maryland State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
Fairfax Bar Association
American Health Lawyers Association

PUBLICATIONS
"Apparent Agency? Apparently Not," Client Advisory, October 2005.
"Early Settlements With Patients, While Economical, May be Void," Client Advisory, April 2004.
"Genetically Modified Organisms: Does the Current Regulatory System Compromise Consumer Health?," Pennsylvania State University Environmental Law Review, Volume 10, Number 2 (2002).

PRESENTATIONS
“Advance Directives” 4/2006
“Informed Consent: The Hospital’s Role in Obtaining a MECO and/or MTDO, and in the Judicial Authorization Process” 3/2005
“Healthcare Decision Making” 5/2004
“Special Informed Consent Considerations for Minors” 4/2004
“Refresher Course: Informed Consent and Medical Detention Custody Order” 12/2003