LANCASTER, PA, March 2, 2010 – James W. Saxton, Esq., Chair of Stevens & Lee’s Health Care Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Health Care Department, was a presenter at the Tenth Annual Minimally Invasive Surgery Symposium (MISS) held February 26 in San Diego, CA.

Addressing an audience of general and bariatric surgeons, health care administrators and other health care professionals, Mr. Saxton spoke about the clinical dilemmas and potential legal consequences associated with bariatric surgery. He outlined a risk continuum the bariatric care team must take into account in patient care, which begins with the surgical procedure and can possibly end in a lawsuit. Mr. Saxton discussed strategies to minimize risks and liabilities at each stage along this continuum.

Mr. Saxton lectures frequently and is an invited speaker across the country on health care issues, including liability reduction and risk management. In addition to the Minimally Invasive Surgery Symposium, he presents to other nationally prominent health care organizations, such as the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, the American College of Surgeons and the American Health Lawyers Association.

Mr. Saxton is an active defense trial lawyer – a practice he has sustained for over 25 years – representing providers, including hospitals, physicians and retirement communities, in state and federal court and administrative proceedings. His practice includes litigation, licensing and medical staff issues. He uses his extensive experience as a litigator to advise hospitals, medical groups and retirement communities throughout the United States in connection with understanding and reducing their professional liability risk.

In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Saxton develops risk reduction strategies for health care providers and organizations nationwide and has created innovative strategies and educational programs to support them. This includes the creation of complete customized loss control programs and event management systems for self-insured organizations and captive insurance groups. Mr. Saxton has published more than 200 articles, several handbooks and six textbooks including most recently, Five-Star Customer Service: A Step-by-Step Guide for Physician Practices and the second edition of the popular text, The Satisfied Patient.

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