Carol D. Carlson

Defending health care providers and facilities in a wide variety of medical malpractice cases for over 20 years, Carol has dedicated her litigation practice to achieving superior results while maintaining the highest professional standards. From pre-claim negotiations through trials and appeals, her winning record is consistent and impressive.

Carol has defended doctors, hospitals and nurses in circuit courts in the counties of Kent, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Berrien, Gratiot, Muskegon and Wayne, as well as in federal court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Specializing in cases involving birth trauma, nursing negligence, emergency medicine care and a variety of surgical areas, Carol has successfully defended cases from the most frivolous to the most complex.

Having achieved summary dismissal of dozens of cases following careful analysis of both legal and medical issues, Carol has also won numerous trials in front of diverse groups of jurors, on a wide variety of claims. 

She is frequently invited to present seminars to doctors and nurses to help them avoid being sued in the first place, or to deal with the consequences when a claim occurs. 

Admitted to Practice

  • State Bar of Michigan, 1988

Education

  • Kalamazoo College (B.A., cum laude, 1980); Who's Who Amongst College and University Students, National Merit Scholar. 
  • Macalester College
  • University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1987); Weber Award in Oral Advocacy, National Moot Court Team.

Professional Affiliations

  • Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management (first attorney elected to the Board of Directors)
  • American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
  • American Bar Association
  • Michigan Bar Association
  • Michigan Society of Hospital Attorneys
  • Defense Research Institute

Community Affiliations

  • United Way (Committee Chair)
  • Family Resource Council (Board of Directors)
  • Judicial Review Committee, Kent County