Robert E. Slota Jr.Robert Slota has been representing individuals in serious personal injury and death claims for over 20 years. He has extensive experience handling cases involving medical errors and misdiagnosis, spinal cord injury, brain injury, misdiagnosis of cancer, nursing home neglect and abuse, automobile accidents, product liability, premises liability, insurance bad faith, and employment discrimination. Bob has been especially active in protecting the rights of disabled children, both in obtaining compensation for their injuries and securing their rights under federal and state special education and civil rights laws. In addition to representing individuals and families, Bob also has substantial experience assisting corporate clients with commercial litigation. He has been selected by other attorneys on numerous occasions as an arbitrator to hear and decide important injury claims. Bob has also been appointed by the courts of Pennsylvania to serve as a special representative or guardian ad litem in important claims involving injuries to and rights of minor children.
Bob was elected and served as president of the Montgomery Bar Association in 2007, an organization of over two thousand attorneys and the third largest county bar association in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. During his term as President, Bob worked to educate the general public about the role of lawyers in our community, to develop a groundbreaking mediation program for medical error cases, and to educate and inform the public about the importance of Pennsylvania's judicial election process. For his efforts, Bob was recognized by his peers with the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Distinguished Bar President Award. Bob is a longstanding member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice where he has been designated as a Member of the Young Leaders Forum. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association where he serves both in the House of Delegates and as a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee. Bob is also a longtime member of the American Association for Justice and its section on professional negligence. He serves on the board of directors for the Montgomery Bar Foundation and the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project and in the past has served on the board of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. Always active in the community, Bob is currently serving on the board of directors of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame (1984), Bob received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1987.
Recent Representative Cases:
* In 2008, Bob obtained a substantial, confidential settlement for the family of a man who died of a preventable, pulmonary embolism while an inpatient at a major Philadelphia hospital because his team of physicians failed to recognize signs of developing blood clots while the patient was engaged in physical rehabilitation sessions. The settlement will allow the man's granddaughter to pursue the college education her grandfather was planning to provide for.
* In 2006, Bob obtained a seven figure settlement for the family of a Philadelphia man who was misdiagnosed when he was brought to a hospital emergency room in Delaware, where he had been working on a job site. Mr. Slota uncovered actual digital recordings of the patient's cardiac angiography which demonstrated an emergent heart condition known as a dissecting aortic aneurysm. The condition was missed, however, and instead of getting the surgery he needed, the patient died after being sent home, leaving behind a wife and five young children. All of the children will now be able to attend college.
* In 2004, Bob successfully negotiated an eight figure settlement for a minor child who suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a surgical procedure. Mr. Slota's work on the case uncovered a history of inadequately trained hospital personnel. The case resulted in a formal apology to the patient's family and significant changes to spine surgery procedures at the hospital involved. The settlement will permit the child to grow up and have a customized, wheel chair accessible home, which can later serve as a technologically adapted home workplace when she gets older.
* In 2003, Bob reached a seven figure settlement during trial of a 46 year old man who suffered a permanent brain injury when his local emergency room failed to properly administer the latest clot busting medications to reverse the effects of a sudden stroke. The settlement allows the man's family to provide for his care.
* In 2003, Bob obtained a seven figure settlement for a newborn baby who suffered a brain injury leading to cerebral palsy when his doctor allowed him to be discharged from the hospital without proper monitoring or equipment for home breathing and oxygen support.
* In the summer of 2000, Bob recovered a $4,480,000 verdict for a patient whose breast cancer diagnosis was delayed for seven months resulting in a markedly decreased chance for cure and survival. Branch v. Ledesma, M.D. in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
* In the spring of 2000, Bob recovered a $534,771 verdict for a man who had a metal plate installed in his arm to repair a fracture, and in which the plate broke, resulting in further surgery and permanent disability. Robinson v. Hershey in the Superior Court of New Castle County
* In the fall of 1999, Bob recovered a $1,150,000 verdict for the estate of a woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1995, only to find out that her Pap test from two years before had been abnormal and could have been treated at that time. The jury found that the delay in initial treatment caused her death. Clark v.Schaller, M.D. in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
* In the spring of 1999, Bob recovered a $1,200,000 verdict for a man who developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) following an injury to his knee on the job. Bindschusz v. Estate of Phillips in the Court of Common Pleas in Delaware County
* In the winter of 1999, Bob recovered a $2,500,000 settlement for a child who suffered brain injuries at birth in an obstetrical malpractice case.
* In the winter of 1999, Bob recovered a $2,100,000 verdict for the estate of a thirty three year old woman who suffered a severe and fatal allergic reaction to medications prescribed in her local hospital emergency room. Gunn v. Livornese et al in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Speeches/Publications:
- Product Liability Law Update Montgomery Bar Association 2006
- Current Trial Techniques in Medical Error Cases National Lawyers Association 2005
- Corporate Liability of HMO's for Medical Negligence of Member Physicians The Legal Intelligencer 1994
Professional and Civic Memberships:
- Montgomery Bar Association, President (2007), Officer (2003-2006),
- Montgomery Bar Foundation, Past President (2008),
- Board Member (2003-present)
- Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, Board Member (2006-present)
- Pennsylvania Bar Association (1987-present)
- Member House of Delegates (2002-present)
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice (1991-present)
- American Association for Justice (1991-present)
- International Society of Primerus Law Firms, Board member (1995-1998)
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, Board member (2008-present)
- St. Aloysius Academy, Bryn Mawr, Parents Association President (2000)
- St. Gertrude's Church, West Conshohocken, Lector (1998-present)
- Coach, Youth Basketball, Malvern League (2005-2007)
Honors and Awards:
- Listed as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer 2007-2009
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Pennsylvania Bar Association County Bar President's Award
- Georgetown University, JD, 1987, magna cum laude Order of the Coif
Personal Interests:
Bob is married to Carolyn Slota, a singer and actress, and has three children, Robert, Kelly, a singer of classical and Broadway music, and John Paul. Bob is an avid fan of Notre Dame football, Jimmy Buffet, and surfing and sailing, which he has been lucky enough to do from Buzzard's Bay in Massachusetts to Bermuda and Tortola in the Caribbean.
