Senior partner of Gazak Brown, P.S.C., Mr. Gazak has personally devoted 100% of his legal career to the defense representation of physicians sued in medical malpractice lawsuits. Crossover components to his experience involve physician prescribers of medications deemed to be defective by manufacturing pharmaceutical companies. He has extensive experience in medical malpractice litigation throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He has also participated via pro hac vice status as a defense attorney in states outside of Kentucky, including Tennessee, Indiana, and South Dakota.
EXEMPLARY DEFENSE VERDICTS AT TRIAL:
Neurosurgery:
Nerve injury from pedicle screw misplacement
Nerve damage from PLIF pedicle fusion surgery
Anesthesia:
Intraoperative death during elective colorectal surgery
Obstetrics:
Maternal postpartum death from ruptured appendiceal abscess
Brachial plexus nerve injury following shoulder dystocia
Internal Medicine:
Cardiac injury following Niaspan overdose
Stevens-Johnson syndrome following accidental Lamictal overdose
Death following delayed diagnosis of Pancoast tumor
Neurology:
Vision loss following delay in treatment of diagnosed temporal arteritis
Emergency medicine:
Death following delayed diagnosis of viral myocarditis
Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis
Death following delayed diagnosis of aortic dissection
Death following delayed diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
Otolaryngology:
Post-operative death following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Family practice:
Injury following delayed diagnosis of colon cancer
General surgery:
Injury following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication
Orthopedics:
Nerve damage following epicondylectomy
Extensive experience in cases involving brain damaged babies and in utero fetal demise:
• OB/GYN and maternal fetal medicine
• Fetal heart monitoring
• Placental pathology
• Genetics
• Pediatric neurology
• Pediatric neuroradiology
• Neonatology
• Pediatric neurosurgery
Extensive experience in strong medical causation defenses utilizing specialties in:
• Pathology
• Pharmacology/toxicology
• Infectious disease
• Pediatric neuroradiology
• Genetics
Extensive experience in cases involving:
• Cardiology/cardiothoracic surgery
• Mass tort litigation, bellwether trials
• Multidistrict litigation
• Litigation involving pharmaceutical corporations as co-Defendant
• Death from Fentanyl transdermal patch
• Suicide from Cymbalta
• Cancer from the immunomodulation Protopic
• Stroke from postpartum lactation suppressant, Parlodel
Extensive experience in complex medical and scientific diagnoses involving all medical specialties:
• Hypercoagulation disorders
• Inborn errors of metabolism
• Endocrinologic disorders
• Oncologic disorders
• Connective tissue disorders
• Neurologic disorders
Published Works
Effects of Uracil and 2, 3-Dihydroxypyridine on Hepatic Uridine Elimination. The Pharmacologist, Vol. 35, No. 3 Abstract #251, 1993
Kinetics of Uridine Elimination by the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver, The Pharmacologist, Vol. 35, No. 3 Abstract # 252, 1993
Pharmacologic Modulation of Hepatic Pyrimidine Metabolism, Doctoral Dissertation, University of Louisville Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Louisville, Kentucky, December, 1993
Representative Clients
Medical Protective Co.
Norton Healthcare Inc/Community Medical Associates
State Volunteer Mutual Ins. Co.
ProNational/ProAssurance Insurance Co.
KMRRRG
Mag Mutual Insurance Co.
Catholic Health Initiatives
The Doctor's Company
Hudson Insurance Co.
Classes/Seminars
Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Bellarmine University, 2003 - 2004
Risk Management Seminar Speaker, The Medical Protective Company, Proassurance Insurance Company
Honors And Awards
Martindale-Hubbell Rating: A/V - top rating obtainable - Present
BEST Lawyer in America, 2009
Super Lawyers of America: 2009 - Present
Amoco Oil Co. Toxicology Scholarship, 1990 - 1993
Distinguished Military Student, 1989
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Scholarship: ARMY ROTC, 1988 - 1989
Professional Associations And Memberships
Kentucky Bar Association, 1997 - Present
Louisville Bar Association, 2015 - Present
Past Employment Positions
Darby and Gazak, P.S.C., Founding Partner, 1998 - 2016
Jacobson, Maynard, Tuschman and Kalur, Independent Research Contractor, 1994 - 1997
223d Military Police Co., Kentucky Army National Guard, 1987 - 1989
Captain, U.S. Army Reserves, Commissioned Officer, Armor 100th Division USAR, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, 1989 - 1997
