Ricky Crisler is a founding member of the firm and formerly served as a managing member.
Ricky focuses his practice on the health care industry and related litigation, representing physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers by providing strategic advice and in the defense of medical malpractice claims, EMTALA disputes, premises liability claims, and board investigations.
He also represents pharmaceutical and health care clients in the defense of product liability claims. He maintains a statewide practice, with trial experience across Louisiana state and federal courts.
Ricky is a graduate of Loyola University and Columbia Law School. While at Loyola, he was a four-year letterman on the Wolfpack baseball team. Ricky’s service to the New Orleans area community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was recognized by Humanity First USA, an international aid and relief organization.
Statewide representation and defense of an international pharmaceutical company in connection with opioid drug litigation.
Defense of an OB/GYN against allegations that he failed to timely identify and diagnose breast cancer, resulting in the plaintiff having to undergo a total mastectomy. After a four day trial, the Jefferson Parish jury deliberated less than two hours before ruling in favor of our client, dismissing plaintiff’s action.
Defense of an anesthesiologist who had inadvertently placed a central line in the patient’s subclavian artery rather than in her subclavian vein. The patient subsequently suffered a stroke and died days later. The Acadia Parish jury deliberated less than an hour before ruling in favor of the anesthesiologist, dismissing plaintiffs’ action.
Defense of a hospital in an EMTALA action whereby the plaintiff alleged that he had been improperly discharged from the hospital ER without being medically screened and stabilized. On appeal, he alleged that the trial court erred when it found plaintiff’s claims were “standard of care issues” and when it failed to allow additional discovery. The Court of Appeals found no error on the part of the district judge and affirmed the award of Summary Judgment.
Defense of an international manufacturer in a products liability suit brought in Calcasieu Parish. After extensive discovery, including international depositions, the Court granted summary judgment to our client, dismissing all claims against it.
The Best Lawyers in America ©, New Orleans, LA, Lawyer of the Year Award Recipient: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants in New Orleans, 2023
The Best Lawyers in America ©, New Orleans, LA, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants & Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, since 2015
Super Lawyers ®, New Orleans, LA, since 2016
Selected as a “Top Lawyer” in New Orleans by New Orleans Magazine for Medical Malpractice Law, 2015 – 2019; Medical Malpractice Law and Product Liability Litigation, 2020 – present
New Orleans CityBusiness Leaders in Law, 2015
Loyola Economics Award, honoring the outstanding graduate in economics, Loyola University New Orleans, B.B.A. in Economics
Loyola Scholar Athlete Award, Loyola University New Orleans, B.B.A. in Economics
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar (twice named), Columbia University School of Law, J.D.
Presentations:
“Recent Developments in Medical Malpractice,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, January 2023, January 2022, January 2018, January 2016
“Recent Developments in the Loss of Chance Doctrine,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, February 2015
“Global Settlements with the Patient’s Compensation Fund,” CLE Presentation for the New Orleans Bar Association-Health Law Committee, June 2012
“Recent Decisions and Legislation with Medical Malpractice Implications,” LAMMICO Defense Counsel Seminar, August 2011
“The Loss of Chance Doctrine in Louisiana,” Presentation for the New Orleans Bar Association, June 2011
“Loss of Chance-Past, Present and Future,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, March 2011
“Avoidance of Conflicts in the Course of Joint Representation,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, January 2010
“Corporate Coverage: Protecting Against the Worst Case Scenario,” LAMMICO Newsletter, Sept/Oct 2009
“The Advantages and Drawbacks of Joint Representation,” LAMMICO Defense Counsel Seminar, August 2009
“What You Need to Know about Joint Defense Agreements,” LAMMICO Newsletter, March/April 2007
“Pros and Cons of Joint Defense Agreements,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, January 2007
Publications:
Properly Limiting the Lost Chance Doctrine in Medical Malpractice Cases: A Practitioners’ Rejoinder, 81 La. L. Rev. 863 (2021) (co-authored with Michael Mims)
“The Medical Malpractice Trial: Questions and Answers for Physicians,” LAMMICO Newsletter, Sept/Oct 2011
“The Burden of Proof in Medical Liability Cases,” American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Bulletin, January 2006
