E. Merritt Lentz is a Philadelphia trial lawyer. He pursues only the most serious cases involving catastrophic birth injuries, medical negligence, corporate malfeasance, dram shop liability, dangerous and defective products, hazardous premises, and construction accidents.
An Experienced Birth Injury Attorney – Merritt works tirelessly on behalf of children who have suffered hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a form of brain injury caused by the restricted flow of oxygenated blood to the baby’s brain during labor and delivery. He likewise pursues cases involving needless birth trauma caused by improper delivery techniques, or by the careless use of medical devices such as vacuums and forceps. These preventable hypoxic and traumatically caused brain injuries unfortunately progress to Cerebral Palsy of varying degrees, dooming young victims (and parents) to lifelong pain and suffering and requiring substantial medical care and supervision.
Taking on the PERS Industry – The “PERS” Industry (personal emergency response system) makes bold claims through advertising and marketing that they will monitor elderly loved ones who wish to live independently at home on a 24/7 basis. The PERS Industry promises to provide the “peace of mind” that help can be summoned immediately in the event of a fall or medical emergency. However, PERS providers fail to deliver on their promises of a life-safety mission and are more concerned with collecting annual or monthly subscription fees and generating profits than the health and safety of their own subscribers.
Workplace & Industrial Accidents – Serious injuries due to defective equipment, dangerous construction site practices, and malfunctioning tools are devastating blows to victims and families. Merritt has substantial experience pursuing accidents involving crush and amputation injuries, heavy equipment back-over incidents, as well as defective machinery and malfunctioning tools.
Merritt’s notable trials and experience include:
- $183 Million Medical Malpractice Jury Verdict – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Birth Injuries Resulting in Acute HIE and Cerebral Palsy (Largest-Ever Medical Malpractice Verdict in Pennsylvania)
- $106 Million Medical Malpractice Jury Verdict – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Birth Trauma Resulting in Subdural Hemorrhages (Second Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in Pennsylvania)
- $13.3 Million Medical Malpractice Jury Verdict – Harford County, Maryland Birth Injury Resulting in Acute HIE / Trauma (Eighth Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in the Northeast in 2022)
- $11.1 Million Medical Malpractice Settlement Failure to Diagnose Spinal Infection Resulting in Quadriplegia
- $6.3 Million Medical Malpractice Bench Trial – Lehigh County, PA Fetal Distress During Home Birth Leading to Death of Infant
- $6 Million Medical Malpractice Settlement Birth Injury Resulting in Acute HIE and Cerebral Palsy
- $4.75 Million Dram Shop / Drunk Driving Liability, Arbitration Award Wrongful Death and Survival Action
- $4.5 Million Medical Malpractice, Settled During Trial, New Jersey Birth Injury Due to Traumatic Vacuum Use During C-Section
- $3,750,000 Product Liability Settlement During Trial, Eye Injury from Defective Tool (Nail gun)
- $3,250,000 Medical Malpractice Birth Injury Resulting in Wrongful Death of Infant
- $2,750,000 Product Liability, Wrongful Death (PERS Consumer Product)
- $2,625,000 Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury Resulting in HIE / Cerebral Palsy
- $2,000,000 Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury Resulting in Acute HIE / Cerebral Palsy
- $2,000,000 Premises Liability Resulting in Worker Impalement
- $1,850,000 Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury Resulting in HIE / Cerebral Palsy
- $1,800,000 Premises Defect, Fall from Industrial Ladder
- $1,375,000 Product Liability, Wrongful Death (PERS Consumer Product)
- $1,050,000 Product Liability, Lack of Guards Resulting in Finger Amputations
- $1,000,000 Medical Malpractice, Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack
AWARDS, HONORS, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Repeated selection and invitation to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2008
- Member of National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”
- Member of National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Attorneys”
- Repeated invitation to Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums
- Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
- Pennsylvania Association of Justice
- American Association of Justice
EDUCATION
University of Baltimore School of Law, 2002, J.D., magna cum laude
Heuisler Honor Society (Top 7% of Class)
University of Baltimore Law Forum, Associate Editor
Randolph-Macon College, 1999, B.A., Economics & Business
Randolph-Macon College, 1999, B.A.,
Economics & Business (Major), Accounting (Minor)
Order of Omega
BAR ADMISSIONS
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2002
State of New Jersey, 2002
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Admitted pro hac vice in the following state or federal jurisdictions: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Puerto Rico
