Attorney Karen J. Berger – Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, & Wrongful Death

BAR ADMISSION

New Jersey
U.S. District Court

EDUCATION / TRAINING

Rutgers University School of Law at Camden
Juris Doctor, May 2004

Master of Social Work, Licensed Certified Social Worker
State University of New York at Albany

Master of Social Work,Licensed Certified Social Worker
State University of New York at Albany
Nelson Rockefeller School of Public Affairs and Policy, May, 1989
Fellowship award recipient

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor in Social Work
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, May, 1987

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Parker McCay PA
Mount Laurel, New Jersey September 2005-November 2015
Attorney: Medical malpractice defense, general insurance defense, municipal liability

Represented physicians, nurses and hospital clients against negligence and vicarious liability claims; conducted expert, plaintiff and fact witness depositions; defended client depositions; prepared physicians, nurses, administrators and fact witnesses for trial; tried cases to no cause verdicts; conducted pre-trial discovery and trial preparation; prepared and defended innumerable motions; participated in mediations to resolve claims; prepared periodic reports for third party administrators and insurance carriers; evaluated risk assessment and case value; collaborated with hospital risk management to conduct post incident investigations; educated physicians, nurses and physician extenders on legal responsibilities within the health care setting; prepared guidelines for completion of incident reports in the healthcare setting; advised hospital risk management regarding privileged communications and investigations.

New Jersey Superior Court, Burlington County
Mt. Holly, New Jersey September 2004-August 2005
Law Clerk: Honorable Craig L. Wellerson, J.S.C.

Reviewed and evaluated hundreds of motions; researched and drafted tentative dispositions of motions for the court’s review; assisted the court in drafting orders; participated in and observed settlement negotiations, oral argument and attorney conferences; conducted court-ordered mediation.

Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office
Mt. Holly, New Jersey 2003
Legal Intern

Researched and drafted legal motions; conducted oral argument and presented plea agreements at sentencing; participated in criminal and family court proceedings.

New Jersey Superior Court, Burlington County
Honorable Michael Hogan J.S.C. Family Part
Mt. Holly, New Jersey 2002
Intern

Analyzed pending motions; prepared tentative orders and dispositions; attended attorney conferences; researched special projects and issues.

Community Alternatives, Inc.
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Supervisor Social Work &Case Management

Supervised social workers; coordinated admissions and discharges with state agency; formulated comprehensive care plans; collaborated with treatment team; assessed support needs of clients; completed state mandated documentation; collaborated with case workers from the State of New Jersey.

New England Pediatric Care
Billerica, Massachusetts January 1996-March 2000
Director of Social Work &Case Management.

Supervised social work department of pediatric skilled nursing facility; utilized MDS and MMQs for the tabulation of reimbursement; monitored private insurance, Medicaid funding and primary payer changes; provided training and education to staff; drove continuous quality improvement with executive team to ensure continuous strides between patients, advocates and state agencies.

Hilltop Manor of Niskayuna, Inc.
Niskayuna, New York March 1992-October 1995
Senior Program Case Manager.

Supervised program case managers serving individuals with acquired brain injuries in a 72 bed specialized sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation center; coordinated admissions, clinical/medical services, funding, and discharge planning; monitored benefit status of private insurance, SSI, Medicaid and/or Medicare; simplified organizational performance management to continuously improve the patient, family and employee experience; standardized policies and procedures through team and executive collaboration.

LaSalle School for Boys
Albany, New York May 1989-March 1992
Clinical Social Worker.

Advocated for adjudicated youths in family and criminal courts; coordinated legal representation; counseled adolescent boys relative to life issues, education and decision making tools; completed state mandated documentation; coordinated community re-entry and discharge planning

Russell Sage College Counseling Center
Troy, New York August 1988-May 1989
Clinical Social Work Intern

Provided individual, short term therapy to undergraduate students for relationship issues, academic stressors, eating disorders, stress, vocational and educational concerns.

St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
Port Jefferson, New York August 1987-May 1988
Clinical Social Work Intern

Counseled families with adjustment to illness issues; provided crisis intervention, information and referral; implemented discharge plans based on psycho-social assessment of patients and families; collaborated with treatment team and community based resources; coordinated long term care placement for elders; participated in medical/surgical rounds.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS / AWARDS

• Capital Health System Lecture Wound Care Documentation: A Legal Perspective
• Princeton Insurance Company Newsletter: Treatment of Minors: Legal Duties and Responsibilities of Hospital Emergency Departments and Physician practices.
• Certified New Jersey Mediator.
• The International Academy of Trial Lawyers’ Student Advocacy Award 2004.
• Pro Bono Award: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and Mediation Program 2004.
• Secretary: Massachusetts Chapter of the Society for Social Work Leaders in Health Care.
• Facilitator for family support group for Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• Co-author of chapter in Children with Acquired Brain Injury: The Roller Coaster: The Changing Roles of the Family in the Ongoing Recovery of Their Child.
• Presentation- Professional Paths: Perspectives on the Changing Role of Social Work
• Conduct Diversity training.
• Case Management Consultant: Provided consultative services regarding regulatory compliance issues and risk assessment to skilled nursing facilities.
• Suffolk County Parent Helpline: provided crisis intervention, information and referral for 24 hour hotline; organized statistical data.
• Domestic Violence Training.
• Certified New Jersey Mediator.

AFFILIATIONS

• Burlington County Bar Association; Camden County Bar Association