Cecilie M. Loidolt

Cecilie Loidolt is a trial lawyer with 30 years’ experience handling high-exposure medical malpractice cases, representing medical providers wrongfully accused of malpractice. She has tried sixty cases to a jury, including many birth injury cases involving life-care plans in the mid – high eight figures. She has been consulted and has served as national counsel on birth injury matters. Cecilie has expertise in defending against “The Reptile” theory, frequently employed by plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers, and has done so with success. Recent successes include a lawsuit alleging the anesthesia team was negligent during spine surgery, resulting in paralysis from the neck down; and a large life care plan. The jury returned a verdict for the defendants. 

Cecilie tried the first of its kind opioid addiction case in Minnesota in May, 2022. The lawsuit against the pain specialist alleged that he got the patient addicted to high-dose opioids that far exceeded CDC recommended guidelines, and that he was addicted for 23 years. Despite his 23 year use of high-dose opioids, the evidence was that the patient was not addicted. The physician attended the trial and testified via zoom, as he was delayed in Hong Kong for two years as a result of Covid. The jury found in his favor. Defense verdicts are often not reported by the media, but this one was.   

Cecilie is a proud Senior Fellow in the LCA, having been a member since 2007. She has earned the distinctions Order of Centurions, Barrister; Order of Certus, Advocate. Cecilie enjoys an AV Preeminent® rating Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™. She is repeatedly selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice; and has been listed as a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer® for over twenty years. She was named Minnesota Lawyer of the Year in 2012, for the successful defense of several notable cases. One of those cases included the defense of a hospital for its treatment of an infant’s high fever; which resulted from a vaccine-preventable disease, and the mother’s refusal to vaccinate. The infant died. The jury found the hospital not negligent, and the mother negligent. 
https://minnlawyer.com/2013/02/25/attorneys-of-the-year-cecilie-loidolt/

While Cecilie enjoys and appreciates these accolades, her greatest career accomplishment is the gratitude of her clients, who have bestowed upon her the nicknames, “gunslinger,” “pitbull,” and “bulldog,” as a result of her tireless fight for justice for her clients. 
https://www.superlawyers.com/articles/minnesota/the-gunslinger-the-bulldog-or-the-pit-bull/

Cecilie and her family are patriots. Her husband, Neal, served in the military for over 34 years, having deployed twice to Iraq. During deployments, Cecilie continued to try cases. Now, their son Sam is deployed in Romania. Their family mantra is “we will make it work.” Cecilie proudly received the 2019 Superior Volunteer Service Award, the highest National Guard award to a civilian.

Representative Cases/Exemplar Trial and Verdict List

• Faulhaber, Ramsey County, Court File No. Court File No: 62-CV-20-1160; May 16 – 25, 2022; Medical Malpractice. This case alleged a pain specialist was negligent for the over-prescription of opioid medications leading to addiction over the course of twenty-three years. Plaintiffs’ counsel requested a verdict in excess of 8 million. This is the first trial of its kind in Minnesota in which a physician has been sued for prescribing opioid medication, and allegedly causing addiction in the patient.  An interesting highlight is that the defendant was located in Hong Kong during the trial due to Covid. He attended the trial and testified via zoom; Defense Verdict.

• Daugherty, Ramsey County, Court File No. 62-CV-20-3947; February 14 – 28, 2022; Medical Malpractice. This case alleged that the anesthesia team was negligent for failure to evaluate limited neck extension and for negligent intubation during low back surgery, resulting in massive disc herniation at C5-C6, and paralysis. Plaintiffs’ counsel requested a verdict in excess of 12 million; Defense Verdict.

• Rose, Hennepin County, Court File No. 27-CV-18-19570, September 13 – September 24, 2021; Medical Malpractice, claim of negligent application of excessive downward traction during shoulder dystocia delivery, resulting in permanent brachial plexus palsy; Defense Verdict.

• Lowe, Hennepin County, Court File No. 27-CV-19-4326, July 19 – July 2, 2021; Medical Malpractice; claim of negligent knee arthroscopy resulting in tibial nerve injury; Defense Verdict.

• Watkins, Hennepin County, MN, Court File No. 27-CV-18-12185, July 29 – August 2, 2019, Wrongful death of infant; claim of failure to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis of mother resulting in death of 27-week old infant; Defense Verdict.

• Van, Hennepin County, MN, Court File No. 27-CV-17-848;  April 23-May 1, 2018; Medical Malpractice; claim of failure to diagnose and treat post-partum hemorrhage resulting in uterine atony, DIC, and hysterectomy; Defense Verdict.   

• Allinger Hennepin County, MN, Court File No. 27-CV-16-12; December 4-8, 2017; Medical Malpractice: claim of negligent failure to diagnosis a post total knee arthroplasty complication resulting in pain and suffering, and the need for a revision surgery; Defense Verdict.

• McReynolds, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Court File No. 27-CV-16-11236; October 30-November 2, 2017; Medical Malpractice; claim of negligent performance of laminectomy and discectomy; Defense Verdict.

• Domina, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. CV-15-13034; July 24-31, 2017; Medical Malpractice; claim of negligence in LASIK surgery, and lack of informed consent; Defense Verdict.

• Kelemen, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Court File No. 27-CV-16-10404; July 17-19, 2017; Medical Malpractice; Res Ipsa Loquitor; claim of retained foreign body; Directed Verdict for Defendant.

• Gould; Anoka County, Minnesota; Court File No. 02-CV-15-1129; March 28-April 4, 2016; Medical Malpractice; claim of delay in diagnosis of cancer, resulting in stage IV breast cancer and reduced chance of survival; Defense Verdict.

• Damgaard, United States District Court, District of Minnesota; Court File. No. 13-CV-2192; February 16-March 7, 2016; Medical Malpractice; claim of “birth injury”; Defense Verdict.

• Walsh, Big Stone County, Minnesota; Court File No. 06-CV-14-33; February 9-11, 2015; Medical Malpractice; Trial on damages only, for a full thickness cautery burn which occurred during a c-section, resulting in pain, disfigurement, embarrassment, emotional distress, and loss of consortium; Damages Only.

• Cornelius, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-12-20581; January 12-21, 2015; Medical Malpractice/    Wrongful Death; Represented dermatopathologist in this death case alleging failure to diagnose melanoma on tissue    removed from Mr. Cornelius’s cheek, and failure to order deeper sections of the tissue block, which revealed the presence of melanoma; Defense Verdict.

• MacKinney, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-13-10555; October 20-29, 2014; Medical Malpractice; case alleges error in diagnosis of urinary tract infection and error in treatment of the same with prescription of Ciprofloxacin, resulting in adverse reaction to Cipro including tendinopathy, myalgias, arthralgias; Defense Verdict.

• Novack, Ramsey County, Minnesota; Court File No. 62-CV-12-4940; June 16-July 1, 2014; Medical Malpractice; claim of failure to properly treat preterm premature rupture of membranes; specifically, failure to properly prescribe antibiotics, failure to provide patient with information necessary to give informed consent regarding discharge from hospital and improperly discharging patient from hospital with ruptured membranes; Defense Verdict.

• Karedla, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-10-19754; April 21-30, 2014; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to properly treat severe preeclampsia, resulting in maternal stroke; Defense Verdict.

• Adams, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-12-20871; December 9-18, 2013; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to properly install hip implant resulting in a leg length discrepancy; Defense Verdict.

• Klinkhamer, Washington County, Minnesota; Court File No. 82-CV-12-4080; June 24-28, 2013; Medical Malpractice; claim of failure to diagnose and treat glaucoma in a three-year-old child resulting in blindness; Defense Verdict.

• Riley, Washington County, Minnesota; Court File No. 82-CV-10-1377; September 24-October 9, 2012; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to diagnose tumor in spine on CT scan, resulting in progression of curable cancer to not curable multiple myeloma; Defense Verdict.

• Selding, United States District Court, District of Minnesota; Court File No. 10-CV-675; April 30-May 7, 2012; Medical Negligence; case alleging negligent treatment of peripheral vascular disease with a stent, resulting in a clot formation and ultimately below-the-knee amputation; Defense Verdict.

• Plank, Dakota County, Minnesota; Court File No. 19HA-CV-10-3747; January 23-February 1, 2012; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to diagnose and treat serious bacterial illness in a seven-month-old unimmunized child, resulting in H. flu b meningitis and death; Defense Verdict.

• Fienagha, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-08-23140; April 26-May 3, 2010; Medical Malpractice; case alleging excessive traction used during delivery of shoulder dystocia, resulting in brachial plexus injury to infant; Defense Verdict.

• Hawkins, Ramsey County, Minnesota; Court File No. 62-C9-06-4383; March 2010; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to diagnose and treat pulmonary embolism during a clinic visit one day after being seen and diagnosed with pneumonia, resulting in death; Defense Verdict.

• Cain, Dakota County, Minnesota; Court File No. 19HA-CV-08-2218; September 14-17, 2009; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to treat recalcitrant hypertension during breast surgery in patient with undiagnosed pheochromocytoma, resulting in death; Directed Verdict.

• Keeley, Morrison County, Minnesota; Court File No. 49-CV-08-627; March 2-6, 2009; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to deliver baby via C-section; shoulder dystocia resulting in death; Defense Verdict.

• Milich, St. Croix County, Wisconsin; Court File No. 06-CV-887; December 9-11, 2008; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to diagnose fracture of the distal phalanx of the right thumb on x-ray; delayed diagnosis; Defense Verdict.

• Asfeld, PA, Meeker County, Minnesota; Court File No. 47-CV-07-25; September 10-18, 2008; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to recognize and treat bleeding complication during LAVH, resulting in blood transfusion and uretero-vaginal fistula; Defense Verdict.

• Schroeder, Washburn County, Wisconsin; Court File No. 06-CV-132; January 8-11, 2008; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to diagnose unstable angina, resulting in MI and death; Defense Verdict.

• Schwanke, Stearns County, Minnesota; Court File No. 73-C7-06-0499; September 18 - October 11, 2007; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to timely deliver baby by C-section for signs of fetal distress, resulting in birth injury and cerebral palsy; Defense Verdict.

• Irvin, St. Croix County, Wisconsin; Court File No. 05-CV-600; March 12-19, 2007; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to diagnose and treat necrotizing fasciitis resulting in infection and loss of tissue; Defense Verdict.

• Solis, Lyon County, Minnesota; Court File No. 42-C3-05-853; February 5-15, 2007; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to timely deliver baby by C-section for signs of fetal distress, resulting in birth injury and cerebral palsy; Defense Verdict.

• Filkins, Pierce County, Wisconsin; Court File No. 04-CV-195; June 5-7, 2006; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to administer post-operative antibiotics following appendectomy, resulting in abscess; Defense Verdict.

• Bates, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-04-018572; February 21-March 7, 2006; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to give prophylactic anticoagulants following knee arthroscopy, resulting in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; Defense Verdict.

• Kulsrud, Goodhue County, Minnesota; Court File No. 25-C7-04-001388; August 8-19, 2005; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to prevent fall during x-ray, resulting in traumatic brain injury; Defense Verdict.

• Brooks, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-04-000444; March 7-11, 2005; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to recognize post-sinus surgery complication resulting in blindness; Defense Verdict.

• Johnsen, Ramsey County, Minnesota; Court File No. CX-03-5530; May 10-13, 2004; Medical Malpractice; case alleging a failure to recognize wrist fracture on x-ray resulting in surgery and complications; Defense Verdict.

• Rosenquist, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. WD-01-14544; March 8-12, 2004; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to timely deliver baby by C-section for signs of fetal distress, resulting in death; Defense Verdict.

• Machacek, Rice County, Minnesota; Court File No. C8-03-863; January 6-12, 2004; Medical Malpractice; case alleging negligent treatment of wart with wart accident, causing corneal abrasion; Defense Verdict.

• Ananda-Owens, Rice County, Minnesota; Court File No. C6-02-477; November 4-13, 2003; Medical Malpractice; case alleging negligent placement of IV in concert pianist, resulting in tendonitis; Defense Verdict.

• Kahn, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. 27-CV-01-7267; January 27-31, 2003; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to diagnose rib fractures in emergency room, causing death; Defense Verdict.

• Deshayes, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. WD-00-8045; September 10-13, 2001; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to timely deliver baby by C-section for signs of fetal distress, resulting in death; Defense Verdict.

• Otterstetter, Crow Wing County, Minnesota; Court File No. 18-C9-00-1345; June 5-7, 2001; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to diagnose retinal detachment, resulting in blindness, one eye; Defense Verdict.

• Ryan, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-99-14409; April 2-13, 2001; Medical Malpractice; case involving negligent performance of hysterectomy resulting in fistula; Defense Verdict.

• Klug, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-99-016234; January 8-12, 2001; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to detect abnormality on mammogram, resulting in delay in diagnosis of breast cancer; Defense Verdict.

• Beugen, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-99-7978; July 25-31, 2000; Medical Malpractice; case alleging negligent performance of hernia surgery resulting in complications including need for additional surgery; Defense Verdict.

• Borscheid, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. WD-98-11917; January 24-28, 2000; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; case alleging failure to perform C- section for breech presentation, resulting in death; Defense Verdict.

• Rush, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-98-003197; January 25-29, 1999; Medical Malpractice; case alleging negligence in performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, resulting in complications and need for additional surgery; Defense Verdict.

• Miller, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Court File No. MP-96-006523; June 9-13, 1997; Medical Malpractice; case alleging failure to remove sponge after episiotomy repair; Defense Verdict.

• Weisenberger, Ramsey County, Minnesota; Court File No. CX-92-014909; September 26-October 6, 1994; Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death; Negligence in prescribing of headache medication, resulting in addiction and death; Defense Verdict.